Articulated vehicles, and truck-trailer combinations, are fitted with more sophisticated and complex braking systems.
It is imperative that the brake systems on these types of vehicles are maintained in perfect operating condition at all times.
It is essential that the vehicle remains fully controllable and stable during any braking manoeuvre. If the braking system is faulty or poorly maintained, skidding or skewing can occur between the prime mover and the trailer.
Large articulated type vehicles can seldom be controlled under runaway conditions which in turn can lead to ‘jack-knifing’.
Breakaway Brakes
All large towed vehicles MUST be fitted with a breakaway brake system which will automatically activate the brakes should it become disconnected from the towing vehicle.
Similarly, all large towing vehicles, ie prime movers etc, MUST be equipped with a tractor protection valve. The purpose of the tractor protection valve is to ensure that only a limited amount of air escapes should the trailer air hose become separate from the towing vehicle.
The tractor protection valve must prevent the towing vehicles air pressure from dropping below 300kpa (45psi) if the trailer or towed vehicle becomes disconnected.
A low pressure warning device should begin to operate BEFORE the air pressure drops below 400kpa (60psi).
should be restarted, and a check be made of how long it takes for the low air warning device to stop sounding. The time to charge from zero to 650 kpa (96 psi) with the engine running at high speed, should not exceed 5 minutes.
Heavy Vehicle Drivers Should
1. Check brakes, lights and other equipment before starting out, and periodically during each trip.
2. Park all personal problems at the kerb when starting to drive.
3. When on the road observe all traffic laws and respect the laws of nature governing momentum, deceleration, centrifugal force, gravity and weather conditions.
4. Watch out for children and pedestrians, especially near schools. Cyclists are legitimate road users, so watch out for them, share the road, especially on arterial roads.
5. Not tailgate. Keep enough distance between your vehicle and the one ahead to allow faster vehicles to pass. Make every effort to allow following traffic to pass on long grades and permit delayed traffic to pass at the top of a long grade.
6. Use reason and common sense when approaching stop and give way signs.
7. Never drink alcohol while driving or before starting a trip.
8. Not fight sleep. If drowsy get off the road and take a short rest.
9. Not hesitate to slow down and be ready to stop the instant potential danger appears.
Drive so that your vehicle is under control at all times.
10. Give other motorists the breaks that you wish that they would give you.
Speed Limiter Offences
A heavy vehicle operator commits an offence if the speed limiter is altered or disconnected.
The operator will be given a traffic infringement notice. Severe traffic infringement notice penalties and court imposed penalties apply.
Refusal of a Licence
The RTA may refuse to renew the licence of drivers who have exceeded their demerit points limit or have committed a serious speeding offence. The periods of refusal for a licence are the same as those for suspensions.
Speed and Red Light Cameras
Fixed speed and red light cameras have been placed at various locations within the ACT to address the dangerous practices of speeding and running red lights. Sensors embedded in the road detect the presence of vehicles at the red light cameras. If a vehicle drives through a red light, a signal is sent to the camera, which then takes a series of photographs
of the vehicle as well as a close-up of the number plate. The same sensors also calculate the speed of vehicles and activate the camera if the pre-set speed limit is exceeded. This occurs regardless of whether the traffic lights are green, red or amber.
Vehicles that are speeding and running red lights at the same time can incur infringement notices for both offences. The images and infringement details, including the time and location, are digitally recorded and downloaded to the Traffic Camera Office. A number of fixed speed only cameras have been placed on high volume higher speed roads using sensors in the road or radar detectors.
Point-to-point cameras measure the average speed of a vehicle over a stretch of road and discourage drivers from the practice of speeding up and slowing down to avoid detection by conventional fixed safety cameras.
Noise Pollution
Noise can affect your physical health, cause nervous stress and annoy others. It adds to fatigue, lowers productivity and can also increase the risk of heart disease.
There are heavy penalties under environmental protection legislation for breaking the noise control law. These penalties increase significantly for repeat offences.
Types of Noise Pollution
1. In heavy traffic flow each vehicle contributes to the general roar. Trucks contribute about half the noise energy from traffic – even though they make up less than 10 per cent of vehicles on the road.
2. There is also noise pollution from excessively noisy individual vehicles – these contribute more than their fair share to general traffic noise.
Noisy Vehicles
Excessive noise can come from:
• Deterioration of the exhaust system from corrosion.
• Fitting an unsuitable muffler.
• Engine modifications such as raising the maximum governed speed.
• Removing sound absorbent materials.
• Poor driving habits such as using the exhaust brake or a noisy retarder in built up areas.
• Body noise on hitting bumps in the road.
What you can do to Reduce Noise
• Fit a good exhaust system:
• Beware of ‘cheapies’ – they can wear out faster and may not have a warranty. A noisy muffler does not mean higher performance or better fuel consumption.
• Buy quality replacement mufflers. The manufacturer’s recommended part usually provides the best all-round performance and noise control.
Get your Truck or Bus Tested for Noise
Ask the muffler fitter to check that your new muffler has a low noise level. The legal noise limits vary according to GVM, manufacture date, type of engine and whether the exhaust pipe is vertical or horizontal.
During testing, the fitting of raincaps and elbows may deflect the radiation of noise for dB(A) testing, however, the microphone can be placed at any suitable location so long as it is more than 1.0 metre from the centre of the exhaust outlet but not in the way of the gas flow.
For noise emission levels applicable to heavy vehicles please refer to the Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2000 Schedule 1, Division 1.10.3 located on the ACT Legislation Register at: http:www.legislation.act.gov.au/sl/2000-12/default.asp
Smoke from Engines
Excessive smoke from vehicles is illegal, unpleasant and at times dangerous. It can also lead to expensive engine repairs and time off the road.
Blue smoke normally indicates engine wear or damage. Black and grey smoke results from incomplete combustion and may be caused by a number of factors. These examples can usually be fixed during routine maintenance:
• Blocked air filter.
• Obstruction of fuel filters or water traps with dirt, grit or fuel wax.
• Incorrect fuel pump timing.
• Engine speed too high.
• Incorrect valve or tappet adjustment.
• Poor cylinder compression indicating leakage past valves or piston rings.
• Excessive back-pressure in exhaust system.
• Injectors misfiring or leaking.
• Faulty turbo chargers where fitted.
• Poor driving techniques.