Trucks In Convoy Menace When Close

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31588, 27 January 1968, Page 36

Trucks In Convoy Menace When Close

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 26. Heavy motor vehicles travelling in convoy could be a menace on the highways, the Minister of Transport (Mr Gordon) said today.

Mr Gordon said he had received a number of complaints of heavy trucks travelling so closely in convoy that other traffic could not pass. He had himself seen buses travelling in groups close together.

“Some complaints referred to railway buses, and I have taken steps to make sure that in future they do not travel in this way,” he said. The Minister said the traffic regulations clearly stated that, except where overtaking, drivers of heavy vehicles must keep at a sufficient distance from the vehicle in

front to enable overtaking vehicles to move between them. “With the great concentration of traffic on the roads, it is difficult enough to pass even one heavy vehicle, but when there are two or three with not enough space between for faster vehicles to overtake them one by one, the position becomes positively hazardous,” he said. The Minister said traffic officers had been instructed to watch specially for this type of offence, but as with all traffic laws, and reasonable driving practices, it was up to the driver himself to exercise courtesy and consideration for others.

“At this time of the year, especially in country areas there is a large amount of sheep and hay cartage and transport operators as well as their drivers are asked to cooperate in this matter.

“This problem is especially hazardous at night, when tail lights on a convoy of heavy trucks become confusing, and cause overtaking drivers to misjudge the distance needed for safe overtaking," he said.