One in 10 caravan owners admit to dangerous driving habit that could lead to £2,500 fine
One in 10 caravan owners admit to dangerous driving that could lead to a fine of £2,500, study finds
- It is illegal under UK law to carry a passenger in a caravan while it is being towed
According to new research, one in ten British caravan owners have admitted to a dangerous driving habit that can lead to a fine of £2,500, three points on their license or even a driving ban.
Under UK law, it is illegal for safety reasons to carry a passenger in a caravan while it is being towed, as the extra weight can destabilize the caravan and lead to accidents and serious injury.
However, a study among 508 touring caravan owners of Mature caravan insurance found that 10% had previously driven a caravan with a child and 12% with an adult in the back.
The survey also points to a lack of understanding among caravan owners, as only 23% of respondents knew that it is illegal to bring an adult with you when towing.
Meanwhile, only 11% of caravanners realized they could be fined for carrying a child while towing.
Under UK law it is illegal for safety reasons to carry a passenger in a caravan while it is being towed as the extra weight will destabilize the caravan and could lead to accidents and serious injury
John Woosey, founder of Ripe Caravan Insurance, commented: ‘While it can be tempting to allow passengers to ride in your caravan as you tow it on the road, it’s important to remember that caravans are not designed to be crash-resistant, so the person is at risk of serious injury in a collision.
“Safety implications aside, a potential fine of £2,500, points and a driving ban is certainly not worth risking.
‘We strongly advise all caravanners to read the regulations before hitting the road to avoid ruining a well-earned trip’
In addition to not carrying a passenger in a caravan while driving, there are several other important caravan towing laws that must be followed.
RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams told MailOnline: ‘Carrying passengers in a moving caravan is illegal for a very good reason – it’s incredibly dangerous.
“Cars are equipped with all sorts of safety features to keep occupants safe, not least seatbelts and airbags that can save a person’s life in a crash.
“Caravans, on the other hand, are not designed to withstand shock, putting everyone in them at an incredible risk should the worst happen.”
All drivers holding a full UK driving license are allowed to tow trailers with a maximum authorized mass of up to 3,500kg, a maximum width of 2.55 meters and a maximum length of 7 meters – excluding A-frame.
Caravan owners are not allowed to drive faster than 80 km/h on single carriageways and 100 km/h on dual carriageways must have a clear view of the road behind you.
Trailers must also have a working brake system if they weigh more than 750 kg when loaded and any brakes must be in good working order.