Easter will be here shortly and so will the sight of caravans on our roads again.
Motorists who have never discovered the delights of caravanning completely fail to understand the appeal it has for those who will be hitting the road, home in tow, every weekend from Easter onwards. As a result, they tend to be terribly intolerant of drivers with caravans, but observing a few simple rules of courtesy on both sides should stop tempers fraying, always a dangerous thing to happen.
One of the major problems is that car drivers who don't tow trailers seem to imagine that drivers who do have less right to be on the road. And with that in mind they develop an urge to pass every trailer or caravan they see as quickly as possible, often taking risks to do it.
Remember that drivers with caravans need a far more generous space for overtaking slow traffic than more lightly laden cars - and they should be given the space to overtake when it arises.
If this Easter sees you taking out a caravan for the first time, ensure your car is properly equipped with mirrors that give a good view behind.
If it's obvious that traffic is building up, take the first opportunity you have to pull in and let the queue pass. That way you'll end up making fewer complaints about drivers who cut you up as they go by.
It's also vital that you are able to manoeuvre your van competently. Reversing is the most difficult technique to master, and getting yourself out of your first tight spot is not the best time to learn.
Have some practice before you set out, and read up all the advice you can get before you hit the road. Better still, get a driver who is more experienced at towing to show how it's done.
