§ Mr. SANDYSasked the President of the Local Government Board the maximum weight, length, and width of motor vehicles which may be used on highways; what are the statutory rules and orders by which the weight and dimensions of these vehicles are regulated; whether he is aware that motor cars and trolleys are now being constructed and used on country highways which, by reason of their excessive weight, dimensions, and speed, are causing damage to the roads, and that, in many cases, owing to their width, these motor vehicles are making the use of narrow country highways dangerous for ordinary traffic; and whether he proposes to take any steps for the better regulation of these vehicles?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe length of motor cars is not restricted by any Statute or Regulation. The weight of a motor car is by virtue of the Motor Car Acts and the Heavy Motor Car Order, 1904, limited to five tons unladen. The weight of a loaded car must not exceed eight tons on any axle, or a total of twelve tons on all the axles. The width of a motor car weighing unladen three tons or more is by the same Order limited to seven foot six inches; other motor cars may not exceed in width seven feet two inches. Complaints have been made to the Local Government Board as to the damage to roads caused by heavy motor car traffic, and the subject is at present engaging my attention.