Summer safer towing message for drivers

Motorway

Drivers in the North West and visitors to the region are to be reminded to tow safely this summer - after a spate of accidents already in the run up to this year's main holiday season.

The Highways Agency, which operates motorways and key A roads across England, wants to get the safer towing message across during the big summer break when thousands of families will be heading out onto the motorway network towing caravans, trailer tents and boats - many of them on the road for the first time this year.

The Highways Agency in the North West revealed earlier this year that experience has identified when and where towing accidents are likely to happen - many of which involve no other vehicles but can cause hours of delays for other drivers.

Incident 'hot-spots' - on holiday routes to Blackpool, North Wales and the Lake District - include: 

• M6 junctions 32 - 33 (northbound)
• M6 junctions 41 - 40 (southbound)
• Between the M6 and M56 around Lymm interchange
• M6 northbound Junctions 25 - 26 and the M56 between junctions 12 and 14.

Variable message signs near these junctions and throughout the region will be used to drive home the safer towing message - encouraging drivers to think about how they prepare for towing or even to stop in a layby or service station, once they have set out on their journeys, to carry out some basic checks.

Andy Withington, the Highways Agency's Service Delivery Manager, said: "Because of our location and the strategic importance of major holiday routes like the M6, it is important we continue to ask those who tow trailers, horse boxes, boats and caravans to take extra care.

"I hope our 'take extra care' messages will remind drivers they need to prepare before dusting off their trailers or caravans for the first long break of the year and think about safer towing once they are on the road."

Key issues for anyone towing a caravan, trailer, horse box or boat include ensuring it is regularly maintained and checked - including tyres and brake lights - especially after a long winter lay off.

Drivers should also ensure any loads are correctly balanced within the caravan or trailer and that the correct insurance and recovery in the event of an accident or break down is in place. Drivers are also reminded that they must stick to the speed limit for the vehicle they are towing.