Towbars measure a holidays handbrake

A major safety alert on towbars could put a dampener on summer plans for transport operators and holiday makers.

Following an ongoing investigation, the NZ Transport Agency has revoked the certifications for towbars on more than 1400 heavy vehicles.

They include small trucks, tipper trucks, motorhomes and goods vans certified by Aucklandbased heavy vehicle specialist certifier Patrick Chu of Transport and Structure Ltd.

The agency said the vehicles could still be driven, but must not tow anything until the towbar had been recertified.

Law firm Meredith Connell is overseeing the agency’s enforcement work and managing partner Steve Haszard said Chu applied the wrong assessment standard which meant the towbars were incorrectly certified.

‘‘During the current period of certification there is a risk that the trailer could detach from the vehicle, including the safety chain.

‘‘The Transport Agency is aware this revocation safety alert comes at a difficult time for some vehicle owners. We apologise for this inconvenience but safety is our top priority.’’

The agency has started contacting the registered owners of vehicles that had towbars certified by Chu and owners could call the agency on 0800 108 809.

It has advised owners to contact an alternate heavy vehicle certifier to check and re-certify towbars to ensure they were safe.

Chu is among four heavy vehicle certifiers suspended by the transport agency as part of a safety crackdown.

Road Transport Forum chief executive Nick Leggett said safety had to be a priority but the industry was becoming concerned about a possible shortage of certifiers if there were further suspensions.

‘‘We’d be worried about even more certifiers being taken out of the market because that means delays in certification and having vehicles off the road.’’