Highways bosses has issued advice to anyone from Burton and Swadlincote who will be taking caravans or trailer tents on holiday this summer. Highways England has issued the advice after helping more than 100 people with towing queries.

A special roadshow, aimed to give safety advice to those towing and saw at least 100 people attend at Strensham Services in Wocestershire on the M5.

Leading towing and safety organisations, like the Camping and Caravanning Club and Central Motorway Police group have joined forces with Highways England to provide the help.

The event came as part of a national campaign from Highways England to raise awareness among motorists to check their vehicles are roadworthy before heading onto the countries roads.

There are roughly 5,000 breakdowns every year involving caravans or personal trailers and there were 13 incident every day in 2015.

Half of these breakdowns were caused by mechanical issues which are easily avoidable if the correct checks are done.

Wayne Norris, Highways England's safety manager, has explained the importance of staying safe on the roads, especially during summer.

Mr Norris said: “Safety is our top priority and we’re pleased that we had so many people coming along to us while we were at the event.

“It was a great opportunity for us to meet people that were taking their caravans or trailers away on holiday this summer and offer them pointers on how to stay safe while towing.”

Technical specialists from the Camping and Caravanning club were present to show road users how to correctly attach caravans and trailers.

Ian Hewlett, the technical manager for the Camping and Caravanning club, said: “The event was on one of the busiest days of the year and we had many people speaking to us over the day.

“We’re pleased to be working with Highways England to raise awareness amongst people towing and this event was a great way for us to speak to people towing caravans or trailers.”

Towing advice

The Camping and Cavavan Club had this to say:

Your ability to legally tow a caravan or trailer will depend on the driving licence you hold, while the category entitlement on your driving licence will determine the type of trailer you can tow. It’s paramount you’re fully covered by your driving licence for towing your caravan, as your caravan insurance can be invalidated if you are not.

If you obtained your car driving licence before January 1, 1997, then you will retain your entitlement to drive a vehicle and trailer combination of up to 8,250 kg MAM (maximum authorised mass), until that licence expires. When you reach your 70th birthday, however, new rules apply if you’d like to keep towing.

If you obtained your licence after January 1997, you’re able to drive a vehicle up to 3,500 kg, and tow a trailer up to 750 kg behind. Again, be sure to check what you can and can’t do before you drive, particularly if you’re looking to tow something heavier than 750kg.

To be able to tow a heavier caravan, you’ll need to pass an additional driving test. The Camping and Caravanning Club runs courses to help people reach the required standard, or local training organisations can be found through the DVLA.

Out on the road

When you’re towing, you’ll need to give yourself more time and space for everything. It’s best to brake earlier than normal and you’ll probably accelerate more slowly with a caravan on the back.

The extra length of your outfit means you will need to take corners more widely than normal so the back of the caravan doesn’t clip the kerb or cut the corner.

Remember the legal speed limits are often lower when you’re towing. Don’t exceed 50mph on single carriageways or 60mph on dual carriageways.

You shuld not tow in the furthest right (outside) lane of a three-or-more lane motorway unless instructed to do so.

Always make sure you have a good view to the rear of your unit, which will probably mean using extension mirrors. And don’t forget to take them off when you’re not towing – it’s illegal to drive with them on if you don’t need them.

Never carry passengers in the caravan when you’re towing it. It’s theoretically legal to transport animals inside a caravan, but it’s definitely not recommended.

Your number plate must show your car’s registration number, conform to the relevant British Standard and be illuminated at night. This means no felt-pen on cardboard.

Your rear light panel must always be working. Remember to check before driving off and keep an eye out for anything that changes during your journey. Your car must show that the indicators are working while you are driving. This might be done positively (by a special light flashing or buzzer sounding when the indicators are on) or negatively (by giving a warning if a bulb fails).

If you find traffic is building up behind you, pull over at a layby or other suitable place and let the other vehicles pass.

Park carefully where you won’t cause an obstruction. Caravans must not be parked in parking meter bays.

Snaking and pitching

The word ‘snake’ can strike terror into the heart of a prospective caravanner, but with a little care before your journey - and an awareness of what to do if a snake occurs - it shouldn’t prevent you taking to the road.

Snaking is when the lateral swaying movement (technically known as the ‘yaw’) of the caravan behind a car becomes excessive. In extreme cases, the caravan swings ever more violently from side to side, eventually dragging the back of the car with it so the driver loses control.

‘Pitching’ describes vertical instability – when the caravan’s front end moves up and down, pulling the rear of the car around like a seesaw.

The best way to avoid snaking and pitching is to have a well-matched car and caravan and to load your unit carefully.

Electronic and friction stabilisers are fitted to many caravans, which can also reduce the problem.

But even with all these precautions, you might find the back of your car being pulled by your caravan because of the air turbulence caused by a passing lorry or coach.

If it does, take both feet off the pedals to bring down your speed using your car’s engine braking. Avoid the instinct to brake, but keep steering in a straight line. Trying to steer out of the sway can make the problem worse.