AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
MOTOR TRAFFIC ORDINANCE 1974
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
No. 4 of 1974

		The proposed Motor Traffic Ordinance 1974 will enable the Minister to erect load limit signs in a public street where he is satisfied that it is necessary in the interests of safety or to prevent undue disturbance to persons residing near the public street.

		It will be an offence to drive a motor lorry upon a public street to which a load limit is applicable if its laden weight exceeds that load limit.  It will be a defence to a prosecution where the motor lorry –

•	is an exempt vehicle as specified in the Ordinance;

•	was driven for the purpose of gaining access to land to which no other access was reasonably available or leaving land by the only route reasonably available;

•	was driven for the purpose of crossing at an intersection; or

•	was driven for the purpose of delivering goods to, or collecting goods from, premises to which no other access was reasonably available.

It will be an offence under the proposed Ordinance to drive a motor vehicle to which is attached a trailer or caravan equipped with a safety chain unless the safety chain is securely fastened to the motor vehicle.

The proposed Ordinance will also extend the period for which the Registrar of Motor Vehicles may grant a temporary licence from three days to seven days.

       G.M.B.
............................
Minister’s Initials