A 4X4 towing a trailer which was carrying two bales of silage was seized by members of An Garda Síochána over the weekend for a number of road safety issues.
The vehicle was stopped by Gardaí in Co. Monaghan last night (Sunday, December 6).
Taking to social media last night, Gardaí based in the Cavan-Monaghan region said:
“This jeep and trailer were stopped tonight by the Gardaí in Monaghan after receiving a report from a concerned member of the public.
Image source: Cavan Monaghan Garda Division
“It was travelling from the Ballybay direction towards Monaghan with no lights on either the rear of the jeep or the trailer and the brake lights were also non-existent; not to mention the unsecured load – vehicle and trailer seized for PSV examination.
With the weather conditions that are out there tonight, dense fog and heavy frost, this was an extremely careless act.
“We would like to advise motorists if you are out and about to please drive to the conditions and stay safe. Please make sure not to take chances,” the Garda post concluded.
Road safety
According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure a trailer is roadworthy:
If you’re 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.
In addition, travelling with an unsecured load poses a number of risks for both the driver of the vehicle and other road users, the authority says.
The RSA insists that all loads must be secured even if the vehicle is only travelling a short distance or at low speeds.