Bristol South MP Karin Smyth has welcomed the relaunch of a road safety campaign led by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) in honour of three year-old Bedminster boy Freddie Hussey, killed by a trailer in 2014.
The #TowSafe4Freddie campaign is re-launched by the DVSA from today, 17 July.
Karin Smyth, who has been campaigning on trailer safety after she was approached for support by Freddie’s parents Donna and Scott, said: “I’m pleased the #TowSafe4Freddie is being relaunched to coincide with a busy summer of motoring on the UK’s roads.
“Towed caravans and other trailers are a common sight on our highways during the summer months, as people head off for a break. It’s vital that drivers know how to fix them safely and securely before they set off.
“This campaign, in memory of Freddie Hussey, helps drivers learn how to make a few simple checks to help them tow safely.”
The relaunch follows an exchange in the House of Commons last week (14 July) when the Labour MP secured backing from new Road Safety Minister Jesse Norman MP for another initiative – this one from the National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA) – which allows members of the public a free trailer safety check from its participating members.
The headline advice to drivers towing trailers is:
• make sure the brakes are working correctly
• check that the lights are undamaged and working correctly
• check that the coupling height is correct
• use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling