BELGIAN COMMERC IAL VEHICLE LAWS.
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ALTHOUGH the new code of laws for Belgium has
been passed by the Chamber and signed by H.M. the King, the putting of them into operation has been postponed, and it seems quite possible that the code may be revised.
As at present drawn up, the new regulations fall with par-. Ocular severity on commercial vehicle owners. This seems rather curious in such an essentially industrial country as Belgium, but the reaion is to be found in the state of the Belgian roads and the regulations are chiefly aimed at restricting the movements of very heavy vehicles.
For instance, vehicles weighing, with their loads, 10,000 kilos:or more must obtain permits from the local authorities in all the various districts through which they intend to pass before they will be allowed to move at all! The permits, which may be withdrawn at any moment, will give the particular route which must be followed. Vehicles of this size must always carry two drivers. In addition , to the ordinary examination of capability
which a driver has to pass when applying for a licence, applicants will in future have to produce a medical certificate of fitness.
Industrial vehicles weighing with their loads 3,500 kilos. or over must keep to the following speed limits
The speed of a train of vehicles—that is to say a tractor pulling more than one trailer—is limited to 5 k.p.h. The same speed limit also applies to a heavy tractor hauling a single trailer when tre total weight is 16,000 kilos. or over.