Legal proceedings have commenced against the driver of a 4X4 towing a trailer packed with bales of straw which was pulled over by members of An Garda Síochána in the midlands over the weekend.
The vehicle was stopped by Gardaí in Co. Offaly on Saturday night (January 30), according to local units.
Initially pulled over because there were no lights working on the trailer in question – making it a serious road hazard – it was subsequently discovered that the driver did not have the correct licence for towing a trailer.
The 4X4 was escorted by Gardaí to a safe place and proceedings were served.
Overnight Offaly Roads Policing Unit stopped this jeep pulling a trailer load of straw. No lights working on trailer. No…
Posted by Garda Síochána Laois Offaly on Sunday, January 31, 2021
In a brief statement on the matter, Gardaí based in the Laois/Offaly region said:
“Overnight Offaly Roads Policing Unit stopped this jeep pulling a trailer load of straw.
“No lights working on trailer. No licence for towing a trailer. Jeep and trailer escorted off road to a safe place.
“Proceedings commenced,” the Garda statement ended.
RSA Stance
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.
This, the RSA notes, includes basics such as ensuring that: “tyres have adequate tread depth and are free from defects; lights and brakes are working; and the hitch is in good condition.
“If you have a category B driving licence to drive a vehicle – a car or jeep – you can tow a small trailer. If you want to tow a larger trailer, you must have category BE on your licence,” an RSA spokesperson said.
“On a category B licence, you can tow a trailer with a MAM [maximum authorised mass] of not greater than 750kg, and/or if the MAM of the trailer exceeds 750kg, the total combined MAM of the vehicle and trailer must not exceed 3,500kg.”