Has anyone heard of a driver being prosecuted for a roof light accidentally blowing of a caravan? The roof light was in good working order-just serviced, secured and the lockable type.Happened to colleague who is now worried may get prosecuted when gets back from holiday if it has fallen on another vehicle.
Roof light blowing off caravan-prosecution??
- Thread starter Morganic
- Start date
I've never heard of a caravanner being prosecuted yet.
It is worrying for the driver when it happens. our sky lights all hinge at the front end of the caravan. Only the shower cubicle sky light/vent can be open all round and relies upon sprung handles for security.
You mention that the van was recently serviced, but I doubt anything other than, open/shut trial's were done to the skylights. However for what little it'll be worth, you might mention the incident to the service center just incase they offer a snippet of concern, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
It is quite amazing just what you see as jetsome on the motorway. I've even seen lorry batteries that have broken loose. It amazes me that drivers can't see the charge light appear on the dash when that happens.
I wouldn't worry too much, but take away a learning point and double check before departure. Realistically that is all that can be expected from any motorist.
Atb Steve L.
It is worrying for the driver when it happens. our sky lights all hinge at the front end of the caravan. Only the shower cubicle sky light/vent can be open all round and relies upon sprung handles for security.
You mention that the van was recently serviced, but I doubt anything other than, open/shut trial's were done to the skylights. However for what little it'll be worth, you might mention the incident to the service center just incase they offer a snippet of concern, but I wouldn't hold your breath.
It is quite amazing just what you see as jetsome on the motorway. I've even seen lorry batteries that have broken loose. It amazes me that drivers can't see the charge light appear on the dash when that happens.
I wouldn't worry too much, but take away a learning point and double check before departure. Realistically that is all that can be expected from any motorist.
Atb Steve L.
Possibly a case for an insucure load, depends on the damage caused and the frame of mind of the police at the time, after all the driver is responsible for the safety of his/her vehicle.
Steve W
Steve W
Hi,
If there is a prosecution, his insurance company will not pay out until the case is decided.
602
If there is a prosecution, his insurance company will not pay out until the case is decided.
602
I agree that if you had a bloody minded copper you could be charged with having an unsecure load, but as the piece of equipment isn't actually a loose peice of goods being carried IE a suitcase on a roof rack then it would be un-likely to succeed at court.
I see daily proffessional drivers carrying goods that clearly are being carried far more dangerously than any roof rack load.
For example in my area we see curtainside artic lorries carrying wood chip loads of about 25tonnes, relying upon side curtains clearly bulging more than 300mm from the side structure of the trailer, but they never get prosecuted. All they rely on is the strength of pvc tarp and straps designed primarily to contain the curtains not to restrain the load. Should some yob slash the curtain, then there would be a zipper effect tearing of the whole curtain and ok, the yob gets dumped on, but who else might get caught.
As I've said already as far as security of the caravan and it's fittings are concerned as long as you have checked and satisfied your self that at the start of your journey all lights work, sky lights are closed and firm, windows closed and secure, wheels and tyres are ok, caravan is fixed to the car correctly etc etc, then basically you have done your duty of care and should anything happen after that, that you don't notice or expect, it is purely an accident.
Steve L.
I see daily proffessional drivers carrying goods that clearly are being carried far more dangerously than any roof rack load.
For example in my area we see curtainside artic lorries carrying wood chip loads of about 25tonnes, relying upon side curtains clearly bulging more than 300mm from the side structure of the trailer, but they never get prosecuted. All they rely on is the strength of pvc tarp and straps designed primarily to contain the curtains not to restrain the load. Should some yob slash the curtain, then there would be a zipper effect tearing of the whole curtain and ok, the yob gets dumped on, but who else might get caught.
As I've said already as far as security of the caravan and it's fittings are concerned as long as you have checked and satisfied your self that at the start of your journey all lights work, sky lights are closed and firm, windows closed and secure, wheels and tyres are ok, caravan is fixed to the car correctly etc etc, then basically you have done your duty of care and should anything happen after that, that you don't notice or expect, it is purely an accident.
Steve L.
Hi Morganic
Specifcally a roof light, no I have no knowledge of a previous listed conviction, but there may be one.
Why did it blow off? With all due respect to your friend I think the powers that be will say it was not securely anchored in the first place.
I had to stop two fellow caravanners last year who were towing with the sky light open.
If he damaged another vehicle he must tell his motor insurers and ask they agree to indemnify him for any damage or injuries sustained. We do have motorcyclists.
When was his caravan last serviced and by whom? You say the roof light was just serviced . Why? Was it broken? BUT this doesn't prove he correctly secured the roof light.
If he is adamant he did secure it correctly he may need top have a word with teh people who serviced it.
Cheers
Dustydog
Specifcally a roof light, no I have no knowledge of a previous listed conviction, but there may be one.
Why did it blow off? With all due respect to your friend I think the powers that be will say it was not securely anchored in the first place.
I had to stop two fellow caravanners last year who were towing with the sky light open.
If he damaged another vehicle he must tell his motor insurers and ask they agree to indemnify him for any damage or injuries sustained. We do have motorcyclists.
When was his caravan last serviced and by whom? You say the roof light was just serviced . Why? Was it broken? BUT this doesn't prove he correctly secured the roof light.
If he is adamant he did secure it correctly he may need top have a word with teh people who serviced it.
Cheers
Dustydog
YEP Ray have to agree the sides on these curtain siders for bulk woodchip/bark are reinforced sides not just ordinary materials and are internally sections so are very strong .i live about 4 miles from a factory in the noth of Scotland they have a fleet of 12 vehicles the sides alone cost
Yep, insecure load if you get the wrong cop.
I nipped down to Chelmsford yesterday to pick up a bike on the trailer, and as i came back, there was a motor with caravan on the back going across an overbridge. What shocked me was their Heki rooflight, almost vertical as they drove happily along.
I nipped down to Chelmsford yesterday to pick up a bike on the trailer, and as i came back, there was a motor with caravan on the back going across an overbridge. What shocked me was their Heki rooflight, almost vertical as they drove happily along.
Ray & Dougie,
I know purpose built rigs do have compartmentalised curtains, but the particular ones that operate by me either don't have that set up. or the curtains are stretched too much as they bulge 50cm plus at the sides when loaded with loose wood chip.
Steve
I know purpose built rigs do have compartmentalised curtains, but the particular ones that operate by me either don't have that set up. or the curtains are stretched too much as they bulge 50cm plus at the sides when loaded with loose wood chip.
Steve
Regulation 100 of the Road Vehicle (Construction & Use) Regs 1986. Applies to tow vehicles and trailers. The driver would have to show the roof light specifically had been properly maintained, etc, so as not to cause danger. A routine caravan service would be inadequate unless the service engineer is able to supply a current report showing the roof light had been inspected and subjected to TLC. In practice, the police would only get serious if injury had been caused and would include a full exmination of the parts involved. It would be game over, if there are witnesses who descibe the roof light in the open position prior to it coming adrift.
Have to own up to setting off from a motorway services last year with the main rooflight fully open. We always use a checklist when setting off from home or a site but didn't for a short lunch stop. A kind motorist hooted us and pointed to the caravan roof. I realised straight away what I had done and we stopped and shut it. Amazingly it had stayed in the fully open position and not slammed shut. No damage caused but we are more careful now.
Well done to Tim, who seems to have the same 'system' as us.
We have a check list which hangs by the door, and which we use every time before towing. You can make your own list easily.
Basically, legs up, plugs attached, rooflights, lockers and windows closed, towball securely seated, lights checked breakaway cable fitted etc etc.
Takes about 5 minutes, but gives peace of mind, and could save us an unwanted problem. To us, at least, it's just common sense to do this.
We have a check list which hangs by the door, and which we use every time before towing. You can make your own list easily.
Basically, legs up, plugs attached, rooflights, lockers and windows closed, towball securely seated, lights checked breakaway cable fitted etc etc.
Takes about 5 minutes, but gives peace of mind, and could save us an unwanted problem. To us, at least, it's just common sense to do this.
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