No mud flaps? It could cost you

[Sonic Death Monkey]

http://www.globaltvedmonton.com/no+m...957/story.html

Thank God this law is being enforced again. Getting tired of the small rock damage to my windshield and the front of my car.

[nobleea]

Somewhat related:
Is there a law that says vehicle bumpers must be between XX and YY inches off the ground? I see all these jacked up pickups with bumpers at head height. Seems counter productive at that height.

[sdimedru]

I can't believe that the dealers are selling vehicles that are not roadworthy for Alberta's roads and regs...

[IanO]

Originally Posted by nobleea

Somewhat related:
Is there a law that says vehicle bumpers must be between XX and YY inches off the ground? I see all these jacked up pickups with bumpers at head height. Seems counter productive at that height.

There is a minimum, but I am not sure if a max.

Come to think of it, my car is below the minimum I believe.

[KC]

I heard a year or more ago that such a regulation existed - so how could a dealer not know about it? Also, dealers use mud flaps as a negotiation item - maybe they should be made mandatory on all vehicles.

Also, maybe Alberta could use its petrochemicals for producing mud flaps. Importing replacement windshields must be a huge drain on Alberta's "net worth." There's the cost of imported glass, transportation, the unnecessary insurance and the misallocated labour. Then there may even be some remotely related health care costs associated with accidents.

It would be great if someone could post to C2E the exact wording.

[Medwards]

Most replacements are PPG glass, which has a glass fabrication shop in Calgary... and distro center in Edmonton

[Barry N]

Originally Posted by KC

I heard a year or more ago that such a regulation existed - so how could a dealer not know about it? Also, dealers use mud flaps as a negotiation item - maybe they should be made mandatory on all vehicles.

Also, maybe Alberta could use its petrochemicals for producing mud flaps. Importing replacement windshields must be a huge drain on Alberta's "net worth." There's the cost of imported glass, transportation, the unnecessary insurance and the misallocated labour. Then there may even be some remotely related health care costs associated with accidents.

It would be great if someone could post to C2E the exact wording.

Here is a copy/paste from an Alberta Transportation site....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The rear axle group of the power unit and all axle groups of the trailers and converters must be equipped with mud flaps or splash guards that are constructed to ensure that they remain in a rigid downward position at all times. All mud flaps or splash guards shall be mounted behind the wheels at a distance not exceeding 25.0 cm to the rear of the wheels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[JJMorrocco]

^ this sounds like it only applies to large trucks and trailers. The global new story stated that the mud flap must be at least cover to center line of axle or lower, and be full width fo the tire. - relating to pick-up trucks.

Agreed that this should be supplied by the manufacturer or the dealer.

[SteveB]

I t applies to any vehicle, but has been rarely enforced:

Section 64 of the 2002 Vehicle Equipment Regulation (potentially applies to any vehicle) simply states:

The body of a motor vehicle or trailer or a fender, mudguard or similar structure must cover the width of the tire and extend to the mid-point of the axle when viewed from behind the vehicle.