Safety warning for casual caravanners
Holidaymakers cautioned to brush up on towing tips or risk a fine or worseFamilies heading off with new caravans over the school holidays, are being warned of the risk of a fine as well as an accident if they don't comply with towing rules and "brush up on essential caravan safety tips".
With many interstate and overseas trips cancelled, more families are considering a caravan for domestic holidays but with no special training or licence required to tow a rig with a combined weight up to 11 tonnes, authorities in NSW are concerned about a potential rise in caravan crashes.
“Between 2014 and 2018, there were 239 crashes involving a vehicle towing a caravan on NSW roads. Sadly, these crashes resulted in 12 fatalities and 120 serious injuries,” NSW Deputy Secretary for Safety, Environment and Regulation Tara McCarthy said.
NSW police ran a series of roadside safety sessions in late-2019, designed to educate inexperienced caravanners after a spike in caravan crashes in the northern NSW region.
“Towing a caravan adds significant weight to your vehicle. It requires careful planning and loading and puts additional responsibilities on a driver to manage safety," McCarthy said.
"It is crucial drivers understand how to safely load and weigh their caravan and how to drive safely while towing before they set out on the road.
“This knowledge will not only protect you and your passengers, but complying with safe loading laws means you won’t run the risk of fines from police enforced Roadside Caravan Safety Inspections.”
McCarthy said driving an RV or towing a caravan can be stressful and careful planning and preparation, as well as breaking up the journey, can help to make the trip more enjoyable.
“After several weeks of lockdown many of us are eager to get outside and see other parts of the state," she said. “If you understand how towing a caravan can affect your driving, your safety and the safety of others on the road, you will find it much less stressful.
"Remember to weigh your vehicle and your caravan at a weigh station, correctly load your caravan to meet safety ratings and requirements and do any necessary safety checks before and during your trip.”
Related:
Why our towing laws are ridiculous
Call for caravan training after latest roll-over
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