Changes to towing and caravan rules in the UK could lead to more accidents on the roads, an expert has claimed.
Anyone who has passed their driving test after January 1, 1997 will soon be allowed to tow trailers of up to 3,500kg.
Previously, drivers who passed after this date had to go through extra car and trailer tests to tow anything heavier.
The new rules were originally scheduled to come into from this Monday, but the DVLA announced that it will be introduced “at a later date”.
But there have been concerns raised about the new rules, which have been described as an “accident waiting to happen”, Wales Online reports.
Thomas Owens from We Buy Any Motorcarvan said: “It used to be that drivers needed to take a category B+E test as long as both the caravan and towing vehicle weighed less than 3,500kg.
"Those tests have now been scrapped and suddenly motorists will be able to tow bigger and heavier caravans than they’re used to. And if you aren’t fully confident, towing can be a formidable experience and we could see more accidents on the road.
"With the added weight, it’s never been more important to check your tyres before setting off. With all that extra weight, if you don’t have the appropriate tyre tread depth, it’ll be an accident waiting to happen. Remember to give yourself more time and space for everything, especially taking corners. And if your car isn’t quite up for the new match — try using stabilisers.
"Remember that with all that extra space it's all too easy to overload. Still, try to keep the caravan as light as possible, with the heavier items low down and close to the axle. And try to keep the weight of your loaded caravan under 85% of your car's Kerbweight.
"Finally, if you’re really worried, you’ll still be able to complete a non-compulsory course. This should provide you with extra confidence and training if you need it. It might also make your insurance premium cheaper.”
UK Transport minister Trudy Harrison said: “We understand the concern that a full analysis has not been published yet. We are working on it urgently.
“It was a case of balancing the need to take action quickly to address the driver shortage with the need to assimilate evidence and analyse it in full.”
The minister added that she and many other drivers could already tow a trailer or caravan without extra testing, having passed her test before 1997 when a change in the law brought in the requirement.
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