Getting hooked on safety and training to tow have never been so important as British caravan holiday celebrates centenary, says A1 Training
The managing director of a Birmingham-based driver training company is calling on ‘staycation’ holidaymakers to ensure their towing know-how is up to speed as the summer season rapidly approaches in the city that gave birth to the first motor-pulled caravan exactly 100 years ago.
A1 Training, based in Kitts Green, just seven miles from Gosta Green, near Aston, where the Eccles caravan rolled off the production line in 1919, is urging caravan owners to make sure they are compliant with DVSA rules and regulations when towing.
Collin Meredith, Managing Director of A1 Training, called on holiday makers to check they carry the correct licence when pulling a trailer and research the advice and guidance on towing.
Subjects such as nose weight, loading a trailer, load stability and coupleing the trailer are essential in order to remain safe on the UK’s roads.
“Born in Birmingham a century ago, there are now almost one million caravans in the UK with owners contributing a staggering £9.3 billion to the economy, so it’s vital that we protect this important industry,” he said.
“We do this by ensuring that we are compliant with the rules surrounding towing and that we have the correct training. This is not a tick box exercise as it requires training and experience to make sure we can safely manoeurvre caravans and that we understand weight and balance issues. This improved knowledge can enhance our own experiences without negatively impacting other road users.
“To do this, we would suggest attending an approved course with a qualified trainer on the roads to gain that additional insight which would make all the difference when it comes to having a safe holiday,” he added.
According to the Caravan Club, the industry that began life in Gosta Green, now supports more than 200,000 jobs in the UK.
“We live in a country where the staycation has become a major industry and the caravan in a major component of that success. It is therefore up to us all in this centenary year to ensure that while we look back on 100 years, others are not looking back in anger on careless and avoidable accidents.”
For more details about A1 Training, which is based in Kitts Green, Birmingham, visit: www.a1traininggroup.co.uk.
