Safe Speed Forums

I wonder if other forum members have noticed how many drivers towing touring caravans are unable to see down the sides of the vans. A quick poll at Easter indicated that roughly 50% had not fitted extension door mirrors and this proportion was confirmed again yesterday. Watching a 4*4 towing a large van past a load of parked cars, it was obvious the driver had no idea where the edges of his van where. Drivers coming the other way sensibly kept out of his way.
I am principally concerned as a cyclist because such a driver could easily "wipe me out" without knowing.

Ah, 'tis the season for the snail migration...bless them all....

Over Easter we made a point of checking caravans at the local mway services and on the road - the overall results were pretty grim from a policing point of view. The campaign was triggered by the first caravan fatality of the year - cvan v motorbike on roundabout, bike not seen by towing car due (allegedly) to absence of extended mirrors.

Those with no extra mirrors were "educated" but the other list of problems was not good - flat spot tyres from being parked all year, dodgy brakes, corroded tow hitches, etc. Oh yes, and the couple making tea in the caravan doing 70 on the M5.

I'm not anti cvan (honestly) but the time really has come for all towed trailers of any kind to have a seperate MOT and be licenced.

Main advice to bikers is keep clear of the things !!

We need more episodes of BRAINIAC too. If you need it, I have a cylinder of oxygen which appeared quite useful throughout the series!

Like dogs, it's not the caravans - it's the OWNERS that need putting down!

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Time to take responsibility for our actions.. and don't be afraid of speaking out!

I couldn’t agree more but after spending years diving and seeing some of the state’s people let there trailers get into I would extend the MOT to all towed caravans/trailers/horsebox.

One odd thing though last bank holiday I whent to Wales on my bike using only A and B roads from London and don’t think I saw a single caravan.

Ernest - from years of driving on single track roads( where the wheel minder did not know about reverse) i totally agree - totally.