Time to Roam Magazine Issue 13 - February/March 2015 | Page 16

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upfront feature
Senior Constables Sarah Grayson and Juliet
McGrath from Charleville QLD - now targeting
road safety (story p18)

Facts, myths and
essential advice

COPS AND
CARAVANS
They’re the stories that spread around camping
grounds at Happy Hour faster than a horde of
hungry mosquitoes. Even faster with a little help
from online chat forums. They’re stories of either
hard luck, or incredible fortune.
Someone is pulled over by the police
and fined for a very trivial misdemeanor,
or, on the reverse side, someone makes
a lot of money from some amazing
deal that sounds too good to be true
and, truth be told, probably is.
We set out to tackle some of the more
popular yarns that have been doing the
rounds, hopefully separating what’s fair
dinkum from the absolute furphies.

16

timetoroam.com.au

1

Police now checking caravan
weights using truck weighbridges

This is a story that does the rounds
regularly and although we’ve yet to meet
a caravan driver who’s personally been forced to divert
to a weighbridge, police and Transport Department
inspectors do have powers to intercept vehicles, carry
out safety inspections and check load restraints.
Loading issues are a factor in the majority of caravan
accidents including rollovers, so it’s in your own interest to
make sure your load is compliant, rather than take a risk.
When you are carrying a load, make sure it doesn’t
exceed the vehicle manufacturer’s load ratings
or the legal limits for weight, length, height, width
and rear overhang of your vehicle or trailer.
Failing to follow these requirements could make your
vehicle unstable and could result in a crash or on-the-spot
fine. In some cases a vehicle prohibition notice may be
issued preventing you moving until the problem is rectified.