Police warning for caravan owners

THE police have urged people who either own or are thinking about buying a caravan to make sure they know how to drive and maintain it ahead of their summer getaway.

With restrictions to foreign travel in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, the number of staycations is on the rise.

And with rules regarding travel around the UK gradually easing, there is a growing demand for caravans so people can enjoy holidays without leaving the UK.

Sergeant Owen Messenger of Devon & Cornwall and Dorset Alliance Roads Casualty Reduction Team joined local youtuber George to discuss caravan road safety in a special video.

“Since the Covid-19 pandemic and the restrictions to foreign travel the UK has seen a huge increase in the market for caravans. The demand for caravans has increased significantly and many are changing hands privately having not been properly checked,” the post reads.

“Even prior to the pandemic we saw many caravans and trailers that had been poorly maintained and/or poorly driven and then being involved in completely preventable incidents and collisions on the roads in the South West of the UK. Closing a main arterial route has a huge impact, not only to the people stuck in the resulting traffic jam but also financially to the local economy. This financial cost is estimated at around £1 million per hour that the road is closed.

“Caravans need to be checked regularly the same as any other vehicle. We see many caravans having had tyre blowouts caused by poorly maintained tyres or tyres that are past their use-by dates. Yes, a tyre has a use-by date! Don’t just check the tyres on the road wheels, check the spare as well. The same concept applies to the brakes and other mechanical items.

“Be sure that you have the entitlement on your licence and that your towing vehicle is suitable to tow what you intend to tow.

“Weight distribution within the caravan is also very important for the stability of the vehicle so consider this when loading, and make sure gas cylinders etc are properly stowed away.

“Nobody wants to have a breakdown on their holiday and nobody wants to be sitting in their car for hours because somebody else has had a breakdown. Simple checks can save everyone from this potentially. More importantly, the simple checks may also save your, or somebody else’s life!”

The Camping and Caravanning Club website has more details.