HEAVY MOTOR VEHICLES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 60, Issue 4235, 24 January 1940, Page 7

HEAVY MOTOR VEHICLES

RE-ISSUE OF REGULATIONS. ATTITUDE OF WAIPA COUNTY COUNCIL. ' The Commissioner of Transport advised Monday’s meeting of the Waipa County Council that consideration is being given to the re-issue of the Heavy Motor Vehicle Regulations and asked for the Council’s comments or suggestions concerning existing regulations and the proposed regulations. (a) Farmers’ Trucks: Any light truck up to 4 tons laden weight (i.e. with heavy traffic plates from A-D inclusive) if owned by a farmer or market gardener and used by the owner exclusively in connection with such business, will qualify for a reduction of 50% in the heavy traffic fees normally payable. The Heavy Traffic Provisions will then be enforced in respect , to all farmers’ trucks.

(b) Solid Tyres: The present Regulation 3 relating to solid tyres is omitted. Any road damage caused by unreasonable use of solid tyres may be recovered through the Courts. (c) Prohibition of Use of Roads: Clause 3 of Regulation 8 relating- to prohibition of the use of roads by heavy motor vehicles is made subject of review by the Minister of Transport in any case which is brought before his notice and which is considered to be an unreasonable exercise of the power. (d) Semi-Pneumatic Tyres: References to semi-pneumatic tyres and the concessions in fees relating thereto are omitted, and these tyres will be classed as solid.

(e) Extraordinary Traffic: The provisions for clauses (6), (7), (8) and (9) of Regulation 10 relating to refunds or remissions when extraordinary expenses are levied have been consequently amended so as to refer to Section 12 of the Transport Law Amendment Act, 1939, and a further clause has been added making corresponding provisions for rebate of heavy traffic fees in respect to extraordinary traffic levies made under authority of a local by-law. (f) Indication Discs: In future, indication discs are to be issued through the Department at a nominal charge to cover the cost of printing. (g) Garage of Vehicles: It is proposed to require that the place of the location of the garage of the vehicle be painted on the right side of the truck. This is to assist in the enforcement of the Transport Licensing Act provisions. (h) Apportionment of Heavy Traffic Fees by Minister: When application is made to the Minister for an Order of Apportionment it is proposed that the term of the Minister’s apportionment may be fixed by the Minister. (i) Classification of Roads: It is proposed that road classification limits will apply solely to the gross weight on each axle and the maximum loaded axle limits will be as follows. The present axle limits are shown in brackets. Class 3 roads, two-axled vehicles, si. tons; multi-axled vehicles, 5 tons (4i). Class 4 roads, two-axled vehicles, 4 tons; multi-axled vehicles, 34 tons (3): Class 5 roads, two-axled vehicles, 3 tons (21); multi-axled vehicles 2J tons (2).

It was pointed out that these proposed modifications are based on the improvement in springing and increase in tyre sizes which are general in modern vehicles. If in any case it is considered that a bridge might be adversely affected, it can be protected by the issue of a by-law.