If you’re lucky enough to own a caravan and are planning a getaway in it this summer, you may need to brush up on the law when it comes to towing your caravan on the road.
One rule in particular can see drivers hit with a £1,000 fine and three points on their licence if they fail to follow it. The law in question concerns towing mirrors, which all drivers towing a caravan must have in order to see clearly.
Insurance intermediary Caravanwise has issued a warning to caravaners not to forego the mirrors, reminding drivers that their relatively cheap price of around £20 is far less expensive than the hefty fine they could receive if they don’t have them, The Mirror reports. Half of all caravan owners claim not to know about the law when it comes to towing mirrors.
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Drivers will need mirrors that allow them to see four metres wide from the side of the caravan, at a distance of 20 metres behind the driver. But you must also make sure to take off your towing mirrors when you detach your caravan, as it’s an offence to drive with them still attached.
A spokesperson for Caravanwise said: "Many caravanners treat towing mirrors as something that they can do without - but the law says differently. A caravan is significantly wider than a car, even a large 4x4, and you simply can't comply with the law unless you fit towing mirrors.
"Clearly this is potentially a very serious situation and the law treats it seriously,” they added. "If prosecuted you could receive three points on your licence and a £1,000 fine. A motorcyclist knocked off their bike will receive something far more serious and permanent."
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