Be Prepared as Essex Police stop Caravans on A12

The Bridges replied on 03/05/2017 23:54

Posted on 03/05/2017 23:54

ALMOST 40 drivers have been stopped during a roads policing operation in Chelmsford targeting vehicles towing caravans and trailers.

Officers were stopping vehicles at the Boreham Interchange at Junction 19 on the A12.

In total 39 vehicles were stopped during the operation including 13 towing trailers, 19 towing caravans, two vans and three cars.

Of the vehicles towing caravans or trailers, 12 were found to have faults.

Four of those had either incorrectly fitted or no breakaway cables fitted at all. £50 fines were given and immediate prohibitions put in place on the trailers until a cable was fitted.

Some of the tyres fitted were over the recommended five years and leaflets and advice were given about changing these as soon as possible.

Five vehicles towing caravans or trailers were found to have no extendable mirrors fitted and were fine £50.

The drivers were found to be driving otherwise in accordance with their licence, fined £100 and given three points on their licence.

 
Four drivers were dealt with for using mobile phone behind the wheel.

Three fines of £100 were given out to drivers for index plate offences on trailers.

One van was also found to be over its allowed 3.5 tonne weight limit and the driver was fined a total of £300.

Pc Gary Winfield, of Essex Police’s Casualty Reduction Unit, said: “This was a successful operation, helping to keep Essex’s roads safe.

“Whilst these appear relatively small issues they still pose a risk.

“Any defect of a car, any caravan or trailer not attached properly, or any vehicle overweight could potentially pose a danger other road users.

“This operation highlights that Essex Police is determined to tackle these issues and anyone flouting the law will be dealt with.

“Road traffic collisions can have a devastating impact on those affected and we all have a responsibility to keep the county’s roads safe.”
 

Milothedog replied on 04/05/2017 10:15

Posted on 04/05/2017 09:48 by EmilysDad

But when fitted to a car, tyres will likely be worn out before you need to think about how old it is. A tyre sat around at Michelin/Pirelli etc will have been stored correctly, and the date fitted will have as much significance as the date manufactured.

Posted on 04/05/2017 10:15

I fully agree, but my post  was more aimed at caravans and awareness by caravan owners cool

JVB66 replied on 04/05/2017 10:24

Posted on 04/05/2017 09:57 by EmilysDad

Plod and VOSA are to be commended for the excersie, but I wonder how many caravaning 'idiots' are to be blamed for scattering their caravan across 3 lanes of a motorway. Last time out with the caravan we were very nearly taken out by a Mercedes Sprinter van driver trying to retrieve sonething from his passenger foot well. Trouble was, as he leaned over, he turned the steering wheel too. He came within a couple of feet of us despite me brakihg hard & swerving. It pays sometimes to have a large 4x4 as a tow car.

Posted on 04/05/2017 10:24

I would think that a written off caravan is more likely to have been caused by the person towing, be it bad maintenance or loading, than some other person😈

MichaelT replied on 04/05/2017 10:36

Posted on 04/05/2017 10:36

Five vehicles towing caravans or trailers were found to have no extendable mirrors fitted and were fine £50.

As far as I am a ware this in itself is not illegal, the requirement is to be able to see down the side of the trailer in a set area.

EmilysDad replied on 04/05/2017 11:01

Posted on 04/05/2017 10:24 by JVB66

I would think that a written off caravan is more likely to have been caused by the person towing, be it bad maintenance or loading, than some other person😈

Posted on 04/05/2017 11:01

  1. And you've never had a cretin that squeezes in front of you on the motorway rather than tuck in behind or pull out of a side road at the last second causing you to brake harder than expected or force their way onto a motorway, just because they have to be in front of the caravan?

flatcoat replied on 04/05/2017 12:44

Posted on 04/05/2017 12:44

Happened to me on M25 last year with some presumably blind richardhead in a white Leon FR, just a mile or so after passing an overturned caravan in the middle/outer lane. That outfit looked like a sensibly set up van and car driven by a mature couple, no idea how it had happened but at the time we crawled past the police still hadn't arrived. I am seriously considering getting a dash-camera..... I got pulled over 3 years ago on our way to Dover. The 13 pin plug had worked ever so slightly lose such we had no tail lights on the van. A car driver had seen we were not showing brake or indicators so called the police who chased after us and flagged us down. They were very friendly, helpful and realised it was a genuine error. We sorted out the connection and we were on our way, no fine or caution. 

JVB66 replied on 04/05/2017 16:25

Posted on 04/05/2017 11:01 by EmilysDad
  1. And you've never had a cretin that squeezes in front of you on the motorway rather than tuck in behind or pull out of a side road at the last second causing you to brake harder than expected or force their way onto a motorway, just because they have to be in front of the caravan?

Posted on 04/05/2017 16:25

You do not need to be towing for any of those things to happen ,but as I am sure TF will advise defensive driving and reading the road normaly over comes the problem of "cretins"😈

EmilysDad replied on 04/05/2017 18:59

Posted on 04/05/2017 16:25 by JVB66

You do not need to be towing for any of those things to happen ,but as I am sure TF will advise defensive driving and reading the road normaly over comes the problem of "cretins"😈

Posted on 04/05/2017 18:59

True. But a wobbly box on the back of a tow car might affect your chances of avoiding them.

Reading between your lines suggest that the problems might lie with me. Reading the road doesn't stop a HGV pulling out onto a roundabout that I'm already on, neither did it stop the f***wit in the Sprinter van above, or a prat that pulled left into my lane at great speed because she was leaving the motorway a few yards ahead. 

JVB66 replied on 04/05/2017 19:08

Posted on 04/05/2017 18:59 by EmilysDad

True. But a wobbly box on the back of a tow car might affect your chances of avoiding them.

Reading between your lines suggest that the problems might lie with me. Reading the road doesn't stop a HGV pulling out onto a roundabout that I'm already on, neither did it stop the f***wit in the Sprinter van above, or a prat that pulled left into my lane at great speed because she was leaving the motorway a few yards ahead. 

Posted on 04/05/2017 19:08

Sounds as if you are a "cretin"magnet😯

near Malvern Hills Club Campsite Member photo by Andrew Cole

Book a late escape

There's still availability at many popular UK Club campsites - find your perfect pitch today for a last minute trip!

Book now
Woman sitting in camping chair by Wastwater in the Lake District with her two dogs and picnic blanket

Follow us on Facebook

Follow the Caravan and Motorhome Club via our official Facebook page for latest news, holiday ideas, events, activities and special offers.

Photo of Wast Water, Lake District by Sue Peace
Visit Facebook