asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware of the many incidents of blocks and bricks falling from lorries on to the public roadway; and if he will make a regulation requiring that a lorry carrying a load of concrete blocks or bricks must have sides on it or requiring the taking of other suitable precautions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lorry Transport of Concrete Blocks.
19.
I am aware that some incidents have occurred in which parts of loads carried by lorries have fallen on the public roadway and I agree with the implication of the Deputy's suggestion that this can be a serious hazard. The position is adequately covered, however, in article 96 of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations, 1963. Apart from some general provisions in that article which would be applicable to this case, there is a specific requirement in sub-article (4) that a load shall not be carried on a vehicle on a public road in such a manner that part of the load is liable to fall on the road, or drag on the surface of the road, so as to cause damage to the road or to be liable to cause danger.
Would the Minister have a word with his colleague, the Minister for Justice, to ensure that these regulations are enforced because it would appear from the large number of vehicles carrying blocks and bricks that the regulations are not being enforced?
That is a separate question.