HC Deb 26 July 1967 vol 751 cc150-1W
85. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport if she has completed her consideration of the danger to the driver when an articulated lorry executes a turning movement owing to the fact that no mechanism exists in many vehicles to prevent the heavier near part swinging round and overturning the driver's cabin sometimes with fatal results; and if she will now take steps to prevent this type of accident in the future.

Mr. John Morris

Loss of directional control of articulated vehicles, involving tail swing or jack-knifing, is a complicated matter and development and testing of various means of preventing it will continue for some time. Extensive testing under normal operating conditions is necessary before the value of mechanical solutions can be fully assessed.

A proper balance of braking effort between axles is the first requirement and provisions for achieving this have now been included in the Code of Practice for the new vehicle brakes which the manufacturers have agreed to follow.