OVERHANGING LOADS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 13, 15 July 1936, Page 12

OVERHANGING LOADS

THE LIMITS FIXED

LENGTH AND WIDTH

The recent fatality in the Wairau Valley, where two motorists lost their j lives when, through miscalculating the amount of clearance, the driver ran his car into the side of a lorry carry-j ing a heavy load of logs, prompted! an inquiry by a "Post" reporter today | as to the steps taken by the city traf-j fie authorities to guard against such I loading of vehicles as may occasion j road dangers. The general motor regulations, it j was stated, fix definite limits for overall loading of all road vehicles, and unless special permission is obtained, any person operating a . vehicle carrying a load beyond the stated limits is liable to substantial penalty. The general rules regarding length of load is that the overall measurement of vehicle or trailer and load shall not exceed 30 feet, that the load shall not project more than three feet beyond the radiator, or more than-9ft 6in behind the rear axle (or four feet behind the body), and that projecting loads shall be clearly marked. -The overall width of loads is not to exceed eight feet, and the height is to be such as not to interfere with overhead wires,, overbridges, etc.

Without exception, it was stated, carriers and cartage contractors met the conditions imposed very readily, and when loads of unusual dimensions had to be ■ taken through the city made application for permits, to which, very frequently,, were attached special conditions as to the route to be followed, the hours within which such loads might be shifted, and the method'of marking projecting loads, particularly steel rod, girders, piping, etc., which actually were often more dangerous to other traffic than bulk loading.

Typical applications for special permits and the conditions imposed by the traffic offices were shown the reporter. The city traffic office has no jurisdiction over vehicles operating outside the city boundary and there is no question that very, often indeed the regulation which fixes an overall width of Bft is lightly regarded on roads outside Wellington, particularly where firewood in the usual cord lengths is being carted, and over very narrow roads. If the tape was put across certain lorries carrying,empty car cases, too, it would need a* good stretching (say, 25 per cent.) if the Bft limit was not to be exceeded. Prosecutions for overloading are infrequent.