Tow Legal - Tow Safe

Steve Hanley, Technical Consultant to The Trailer & Towing Advisory Service trading as 'TTAS' attended the Tow Legal - Tow Safe events, held at Corley Services M6 North-bound on 10/11 April 1999 and at Warwick Services North-bound on 17/18 April 1999. Steve on behalf of TTAS was there as a technical adviser to the Warwickshire Constabulary.

The event was classed as a Road Safety Initiative. Between the hours of 0830 and 1430 each day, Police motorcyclists intercepted any vehicle that was towing a trailer (trailer being a generic term for any towed vehicle, including caravans, horseboxes etc.) under 3,500 kg Gross Weight.

The Warwickshire Constabulary Traffic Department Press Release states:

Press Release 'Tow Legal - Tow safe' Road Safety Initiative

Over two weekends, namely the 10th/11th and 17th/18th of April, Warwickshire Constabulary carried out checks on 141 vehicles that were found on the County's motorways towing trailers or caravans. All the vehicles stopped were towing trailers under 3,500 kilos gross weight. In layman's terms, this means the trailers being towed were caravans, camping trailers, horseboxes, and other small trailers.

Also involved in the initative were a number of other organisations. They included The Trailer and Towing Advisory Service and Towsafe International.

What shocked and surprised those involved were the number of faults found. Over 220 offences were discovered with 8 trailers being probibited from carrying on with their journey. Over 20 offenders will be reported for offences committed and may well appear in Court. Over 70 offenders were cautioned for offences at the check sites.

Superintendent Bond, of Warwickshire Constabularies Traffic Department said "The purpose of this initiative was to educate drivers regarding all aspects of towing vehicles safely. Unfortunately, we found so many dangerous vehicles and trailers that a number of drivers will be appearing in Court."

PC Steve Hume, of Warwickshire Constabularies Traffic Department adds "70% of all the vehicles stopped over the 4 days exhibited road traffic offences of one sort or another. The worrying factors from my point of view were the number of vehicles carrying serious defects which resulted in their use of the road making them a danger to themselves and other road users. The type of offences I refer to are trailer brakes/tyre offences and/or tow hitch break-away cable faults, of which there were a significant number."

Warwickshire Constabulary will continue with their efforts to improve trailer and towing safety with similar checks on all vehicles taking place in the future.

Note: If you require any further information, please contact PC Steve Hume, at Traffic HQ on 01926 415 000

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The Trailer & Towing Advisory Service Ltd trading as TTAS. Registered Office: The Mowey, Trevalgan, Zennor, St Ives, Cornwall, TR26 3BJ. Registered in England No. 3563592. © TTAS 1999.