asked the Minister for Local Government whether in view of the possible danger to citizens caused by trailers becoming detached from motor vehicles to which they are coupled he will take steps to ensure that such trailers are also equipped with connecting chains as a precaution against their becoming detached.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Vehicle Trailers.
34.
The relevant statutory regulations provide that every trailer and all its parts and accessories must at all times be in such condition that, so far as can reasonably be foreseen, no danger is caused or is likely to be caused, to persons or property. It is for each operator to ensure that any trailer used by him fully complies with this provision; otherwise he is liable to prosecution by the Garda authorities.
I may add that, concurrently with the review of Road Traffic legislation, the various statutory regulations on road traffic will be reviewed also.
May I ask the Minister whether the present statutory requirements include the necessity for attaching chains in case a trailer becomes uncoupled so as to enable the chain to hold the trailer until the emergency has been surmounted, or is it possible for a person to operate a trailer behind a motor vehicle by a coupling only, no chains being used as an extra precaution?
That is so.
May I ask the Minister whether he is aware that a large State undertaking recently put a very large motor vehicle on the road with a very heavy trailer, in which, I was assured, there were 50 tons of metal, with a single coupling on it? The coupling broke away and the trailer careered down a hill in a village and, within my own sight, two children had a marvellous escape from instantaneous death. Would the Minister not consider now, in the interest of human life, to require all those who use such vehicles to take the same precautions as the English do to compel the fitting of chains as an emergency measure in such cases?
In so far as that aspect is concerned, as I have indicated to the Deputy, that and any other matters of this nature are under consideration for inclusion in any new regulations or, possibly, inclusion in some way in the road traffic legislation. In the meantime, let it be the fixing of chains or any other additional attachment the Deputy or anyone else may feel is necessary in the interests of safety, all those things imply that proper care is not being taken. The law at the moment is such that the operator of such a vehicle is liable and may be prosecuted.
May I ask the Minister does he see much consolation for bereaved parents to know that the Guards will have the privilege of prosecuting the operator of such a vehicle when two children may have been sheared to death because of the unsatisfactory manner in which the trailer was attached to the vehicle? Would the Minister cause some inquiries to be made from the E.S.B. to ascertain what protective measures they employ in such circumstances?