BHS works with Highways Agency and Caravan Club to launch safety DVD
Monday, March 03, 2008
‘Are You Fit To Tow?’ features practical demonstrations on how to correctly attach your trailer, how to maintain it and what to check for to ensure it is safe to tow before you go.
The DVD contains helpful advice on how to prepare your trailer for a journey, speed limits, licensing, break down recovery and how to plan your journey before you set out.
Incidents involving vehicles towing caravans or trailers accounted for 43 deaths and 1,400 injuries on England's roads in 2006.
Presenter Carol Smillie, said: "I was amazed when I discovered just how many towing-related incidents occurred on England's roads and how many fatalities and injuries resulted from them, not to mention the disruption they can cause.
"I was really pleased when the Highways Agency approached me to present this helpful DVD. I fully support this initiative and I would advise anyone who tows to follow the simple, practical checks and advice included in the film to ensure you are ‘fit to tow’."
Mark Weston, BHS Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said, “The British Horse Society welcomed the opportunity to work with the Highways Agency on this much needed initiative.”
Sheila Hardy, BHS Senior Executive Safety, is featured in the DVD. She said: "The British Horse Society is delighted that the Highways Agency has taken this opportunity to highlight the need for all drivers to be 'fit to tow'. “
“Above all, they have emphasised the need for drivers to appreciate that to tow most trailers, they need further training and to take another driving test. Working in partnership with The British Horse Society has offered additional emphasis to a message that they have been giving for the past 10 years to all who tow horse trailers - that you need to have a B+E licence to do so. We hope that the message will be spread to all drivers through this initiative."
