Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2014

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Road Traffic Legislation

Photo of Michelle MulherinMichelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

807. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current legal maximum overall width of an agricultural trailer or piece of towed equipment weighing more than 3.5 tonnes that is being towed by a tractor and the changes to the widths that are proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29224/14]

Photo of Michelle MulherinMichelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

808. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the type of agricultural trailer or piece of towed equipment being towed by a tractor to which an overall width of 3 m applies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29225/14]

Photo of Leo VaradkarLeo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 807 and 808 together. 

Under regulation 17 of the Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2014  (Weights and Coupling) (S.I. No. 253 of 2014), which I signed on the 10th June last, the overall width of an agricultural trailer or piece of interchangeable towed equipment with a Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) exceeding 3.5 tonnes is being increased from 2.5 to 2.55 metres with effect from 1st January 2016. This is to align it with the requirement that is already applicable to goods trailers.

The following items will be disregarded in the calculation of the overall width of an agricultural trailer or piece of interchangeable towed equipment:

– the projecting part of flotation tyres and associated mudguards protruding beyond the bodywork on each side of the vehicle up to a maximum of 100 millimetres, and – devices associated with hydraulic rear door opening mechanisms.

An exemption from compliance with the 2.55 metre default maximum width requirement applicable to agricultural trailers and pieces of interchangeable towed equipment applying from 1st January 2016 has been included for any equipment mounted on a tractor’s three point linkage. This is in addition to the exemption already in force for equipment used for grass-cutting, hedge trimming or forestry operations being transported during the day time. From the 1st January 2016 date, this exemption will apply all year round whereas currently it applies during the months of July to October only. However, if such equipment is being transported at night time, it must comply with the requirements of the Lighting Regulations contained within Statutory Instrument 249 of 2014 – Road Traffic (Lighting of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 2014.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.