A van driver towing a trailer was brought to a halt by members of An Garda Síochána on the M7 motorway in the midlands in recent days.

The vehicle in question was found to be travelling at a speed of 130kph – some 50kph over the permitted speed limit for cars and vans that are towing trailers.

Taking to social media on Sunday (October 25), Gardaí based in Laois said:

“Laois Roads Policing Unit stopped a vehicle which was towing a trailer for a speeding offence on the M7 today.

Laois Roads Policing Unit stopped a vehicle which was towing a trailer for a speeding offence on the M7 today. The speed…

Posted by Garda Síochána Laois Offaly on Sunday, October 25, 2020

“The speed limit when towing a trailer is 80kph on ALL roads. A fixed charge notice has been issued to this driver,” the Garda post said.

RSA Advice

According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), road-users towing trailers are warned:

“Remember that the maximum speed limit for a vehicle towing a trailer is 80kph – and this also applies on roads where the posted road sign speed limit is higher.

“As always, drivers are subject to the lowest posted speed sign so it will not always be possible to travel at 80kph,” the RSA added.

Remember that your vehicle will handle differently when you’re towing a trailer, especially when the trailer is loaded. Therefore, you need to take special care and drive more defensively, anticipating the effect of the trailer.

“For example, you need to ask yourself has your stopping distance increased – in most cases, the answer will be yes,” the RSA concluded.