asked the Minister for Local Government the maximum width permitted in respect of vehicles, in particular buses, using the public roads; whether approval is required before vehicles of this width are permitted to operate; and whether, in view of the great increase in the number of very wide vehicles using the roads in recent years and of the consequent greater dangers to other road users arising from obstruction of view, he proposes to review the whole question of the permitted width.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Vehicle Width.
3.
The regulations which prescribe the dimensions of vehicles used on public roads allow an overall width of 8 feet 2½ inches for any vehicle including a bus. The only exceptions to this are, first, certain vehicles technically described as "large tractors" which may be up to nine feet wide and, secondly, certain special vehicles used for forestry and land purposes. In the latter case there is no restriction with regard to width but such vehicles may be used on public roads only in daylight and, in certain cases, during lighting up hours in the months of July to October. Any vehicle which complies with the regulations may be used on public roads without special approval. If, however, as occasionally happens, an extraordinarily wide vehicle has to be moved along a public road the regulations provide for the issue of a special permit by the relevant road authority under certain conditions so as to allow the use of the vehicle which would otherwise contravene the regulations.
The regulations relating to vehicles are at present being reviewed by a committee under the aegis of my Department and permitted overall vehicle widths will be considered in the course of this review. However, in view of the fact that our existing regulations with respect to width are in line with those of most European countries and because of trends in road transport it is unlikely that any reduction in permitted widths will be recommended by the reviewing committee.