A vehicle and trailer were stopped and detained by members of An Garda Síochána in Co. Mayo in recent days.
Gardaí brought the vehicle and trailer combination to a halt after detecting a number of road traffic-related offences.
In a tweet on the matter, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said:
“Mayo Roads Policing Unit stopped this vehicle with trailer and found major defects which could cause serious injuries.”
“No floor, no braking system, no lights, 2 out of 3 tyres ripped, jockey wheel held up by rope. Vehicle and trailer seized and detained. Prosecution to follow.”
Mayo Roads Policing Unit stopped this vehicle with trailer and found major defects which could cause serious injuries. No floor, no braking system, no lights, 2 out of 3 Tyres ripped , jockey wheel held up by rope. Vehicle and trailer seized and detained. Prosecution to follow. pic.twitter.com/YyGm6LNDrm
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) February 7, 2021
Towing trailers
Firstly, a category BE driving licence authorises you to tow a trailer where the combined maximum mass of the towing vehicle and trailer is greater than 3,500kg.
If you are towing a trailer, it is your responsibility as the driver to ensure that both the towing vehicle and trailer are safe and mechanically sound, fit for purpose, and legally compliant with all relevant Road Traffic legislation, according to the Road Safety Authority.
Tyres, it added, must have adequate tread depth and are free from defects, lights and brakes are working and the hitch is in good condition.
The authority urges the public be fully compliant, your towing vehicle must be taxed, insured, and have passed its roadworthiness test. That is, the NCT or Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness Test (CVRT) as appropriate.
Loads, it added, must be evenly distributed and securely tied down. Unevenly distributed loads will reduce the stability of the vehicle combination and increase the likelihood of an accident.
Finally, loads should also be positioned in such a way as to keep the nose weight (that is, the weight exerted by the trailer drawbar on the coupling) within the limit specified by the manufacturer of the drawing vehicle, the authority outlined.
Court for driver with unsecured load on non-essential journey
Meanwhile, earlier this week, Gardaí stopped a driver transporting an unsecured load of timber pallets on a non-essential journey.
Longford Roads Policing Unit brought the vehicle to a halt on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021. The driver is set to be fined and appear before the courts.
In a statement on Twitter, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána, said: “Longford Roads Policing Unit stopped this vehicle in Longford Town carrying an unsecured load yesterday.”
“Driver was also discovered to be on a non-essential journey. Fine to follow for non-essential journey and court to follow for unsecured load.”
