Compulsory HGV winter tyres?
Discussion
Considering the M74 was shut for most of the early hours today, due to a jacknifed HGV in a few inches of fresh snow, is there a case for making it mandatory for all HGVs a la Norway, Switzerland, Germany, Austria?
It was the same on the M8 last year - jack knifed lorries blocking the carriageways, most normal cars still able to drive, but couldn't get past.
It was the same on the M8 last year - jack knifed lorries blocking the carriageways, most normal cars still able to drive, but couldn't get past.
Magic919 said:
Worth a read. http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/document...
Interesting, thanks for posting.Raffles said:
Magic919 said:
Worth a read. http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/document...
Interesting, thanks for posting.Do like the idea of charging the haulage companies for having to clear a blocked road, although very difficult to implement. What about a charge for clearing a jack knifed lorry if it doesn't have winter tyres on it? That would soon get the word round.
As the document shows, there's virtually no financial penalty for them changing to winter tyres and an awful lot of industry benefit through not having roads closed.
Why aren't articulated lorries fitted with some sort of anti-jack-knife system (perhap similar to "stabilisers" fitted when towing caravans)?
I understand that you need lots of articulation when conducting low speed manouevers or reversing, but some sort of system that would restrict trailer yaw (relative to the cab) to, say, 10 degrees when travelling forward at more than 5mph would surely be of benefit. Even it it didn't prevent a skid in the first place, it would at least allow the driver to recover himself from a minor incident to the hard shoulder without needing to be towed.
I understand that you need lots of articulation when conducting low speed manouevers or reversing, but some sort of system that would restrict trailer yaw (relative to the cab) to, say, 10 degrees when travelling forward at more than 5mph would surely be of benefit. Even it it didn't prevent a skid in the first place, it would at least allow the driver to recover himself from a minor incident to the hard shoulder without needing to be towed.
tonytifoso said:
A.J.M said:
Lorry has jack knifed at newhouse on M8 going west bound, causeing a few traffic build ups in the area.
Does this come down to driver error, or road gritters not getting there in time?
Was he brake tested by some young erse in 4x4 type thingy for a bag of buttons bet? Does this come down to driver error, or road gritters not getting there in time?
alfa pint said:
Very interesting read. Nice to know that someone in charge of the country is actually thinking about it. Sounds like the main thing stopping the uptake is just the can't be arsed, might cost me a tenner extra by the haulage companies attitude.
Do like the idea of charging the haulage companies for having to clear a blocked road, although very difficult to implement. What about a charge for clearing a jack knifed lorry if it doesn't have winter tyres on it? That would soon get the word round.
As the document shows, there's virtually no financial penalty for them changing to winter tyres and an awful lot of industry benefit through not having roads closed.
Main problem I see is the drivers not slowing for the conditions, so some sort of penalty should be implemented. I'd ban the driver for a year, bet that would slow them down! Do like the idea of charging the haulage companies for having to clear a blocked road, although very difficult to implement. What about a charge for clearing a jack knifed lorry if it doesn't have winter tyres on it? That would soon get the word round.
As the document shows, there's virtually no financial penalty for them changing to winter tyres and an awful lot of industry benefit through not having roads closed.
Got to agree on the jack knife stabiliser idea. It is the trailer that is swinging and it would just take the cab with it.
All that energy has to go somewhere, a rigid setup would possibly just flip.
As for where you draw the line on winter tyres being compulsory or fines for causing problems if not using them. If the driver/vehicle is in professional delivery use i would say there is a bigger onus on them being equipped for the season. They are likely to be on the road a lot.
There is also a big difference when it comes to pushing even a big car out of the way and an HGV.
All that energy has to go somewhere, a rigid setup would possibly just flip.
As for where you draw the line on winter tyres being compulsory or fines for causing problems if not using them. If the driver/vehicle is in professional delivery use i would say there is a bigger onus on them being equipped for the season. They are likely to be on the road a lot.
There is also a big difference when it comes to pushing even a big car out of the way and an HGV.
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