chamara wimalachandra

Dear mates, here we see generally opposed opinions regarding local legal aspects on fixing Crash Bar. Just one quiz, Imagine if anyone's car was knocked to the rear end by a SUV with a Hard Metal Bumper??? What would be the damage status ??? So let's get into point. In the field of automobile modifications we all must have to consider two aspects, legal and ethical validation. Before attending to any modification on any vehicle, it is essential to proof and conform with following four factors( In a case of accident) 1. Does this modification harm to other road users (Pedestrians, animals, other vehicles and properties) ? Eg. Heavy metal bumpers, High Lumen external lights, Body panels with sharp edges, Louder horn etc 2. Does this modification will increase the injuries to the cabin passengers ? Eg. Internal decorative stainless steel fence, balls and sharp items of 3wheelers and busses steel tv frames with sharp edges/ multi colour internal decorative lamps of busses etc 3. Does this modification block and make barriers to the driver’s visibility and maneuvering ? Eg. Fixing items on dashboard & bonnet, Relocate right side mirror below than Eye Height of the driver(every mirrors locate by the manufacturer to view the mirrors while see the forward & close to eye height of the driver and to minimize blind spots), Fix bar to the driver door (this will tend the driver to drive with single left hand and make difficult to turn left side in an emergency especially for busses and trucks) Fix the radio box above to the brake paddle of the 3wheelers. Tint driver cabin side doors (this reduces the internal lighting of the driver cabin and pedestrians unable to see the driver while crossing the road). Oversize tires( make difficult to maneuver and indicate wrong vehicle speed) No front close view mirror / ball mirror( specially with Indian heavy vehicles) 4. Does this modification comply with the vehicle construction regulations of the Motor Traffic Act, Sri lanka ? Eg. Different Body colour/ Full body sticker (this make difficult to identify specially when hit & run) Change type of body ( this has issues with a type of body tax) Change model of face lift ( Identification issue) Swap engine with oversize cc( tax issue) Then the vehicle owner should clearly answer and verify following simple self questions too prior to attending modifications. a. What is the reason to modify my vehicle (appearance/performance)? b. What are the additional benefits I will gain, more than the present status ? c. What are the side effects, may occurred to my vehicle due to the modification (mechanical/ electrical/performance/usage/durability/reliability/future maintenance costs) ? d. How long will this modification last? According to our field experience in accident investigations, mostly we have found the Hard Metal Bumpers(sometimes with sharp edges) surge the fatality while in the case of collisions. [ Once we examined a fatal accident that happened in Maharagama (In 2012), a Nissan Navara cab with Heavy Metal front bumper, knocked a pedestrian and hip born crushed to small particles.. But nothing any damage marked to the bumper]. VEHICLE DIMENSIONS Here we mention some less known important vehicle construction regulations. Motor coaches and lorries with wheelbase over 250 cm , must have collapsible side protective rails. Motor coach with passenger seats above 16 and lorries with Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) over 4000kgs must have front close view mirror(general term - Ball Mirror) Class or description of motor vehicles millimeters (a)Overall width of the motor vehicle (other than a motor coach) 2,500 (b) Overall width of the motor coach 2,600 (c) Height of motor vehicle (other than a double decked motor coach) 3,800 (d)Height of a double decked motor coach 4,600 (e) Overall length of motor vehicle with two axles other than a motor coach 10,000mm (f) Overall length of motor vehicle with more than two axles 11,000 (g) Overall length of motor coach (other than a heavy motor coach) 12,000 (h) Overall length of an articulated vehicle 16,000 (i) Overall length of combination vehicle with one trailer 17,000 Maximum rear overhang of any vehicle (ROH) is 60% of the Wheel base (WB) ROHmax = 60%WB VEHICLE WEIGHT Description of motor vehicles Kilograms (i) Motor vehicle with a four wheeled rear axle 15,275 (ii) Motor vehicle with an eight wheeled dual rear axle 21,300 GVW -GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT ULW - UNLADEN WEIGHT (Empty Vehicle Weight) PLW(CW) - PAYLOAD (carrying weight) CW = GVW - ULW Eg. Leyland Cargo 1616li tipper (3 cube tipper-300cu feet) GVW = 15275 kgs ULW = 6700 kgs CW = 8500 kgs (this weight approximately equal to the weight of 225 cubic feet of sand), so generally most heavy trucks carrying over weights ( Eg. Tata 2518/Leyland 2518 are allowed 12000kgs(240cement sacks), but practically they carried 32500kgs (650 cement sacks); means excess 20500 kgs than recommended. This overload case is the main reason for road damage and heavy vehicle accidents causing poor braking efficiency. MOTOR TRAFFIC ACT topics you can get through following link; https://www.srilankalaw.lk/Volume-V/motor-traffic-act.html So, hope you all got some important clues. Share these facts among all of your friends. Best Regards.