You’re supposed to pull over, according to Rule 169 of the Highway Code and section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988
Holidaymakers have been warned about a little-known Highway Code rule that could see them hit with a £5,000 fine and nine points on their licence. Estimates suggest there are close to 800,000 touring caravans and motorhomes regularly in use in the UK, as enthusiasts take their home away from home with them.
Caravans and larger motorhomes must abide by different speed limits from cars; 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways, 50mph on single carriageways and 30mph in built-up areas. It’s not unusual to see caravans and motorhomes travelling slower than the posted limit, particularly on winding rural roads, as owners attempt to navigate their large vehicles carefully.
But if a queue of traffic builds up behind, they’re obliged to pull over to let the queue pass. Rule 169 of the Highway Code states: “Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.”
While there’s no specific law governing when a caravan or motorhome should safely pull over to traffic, failure to do so could be deemed an act of ‘careless’ or ‘inconsiderate driving’ under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
The offence can result in an on-the-spot fine of £100 as well as three penalty points on a licence, while more serious cases could even result in a £5,000 fine and up to 9 penalty points.
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, said: “If you’re one of the many people in the UK who love the caravan or motorhome way of life, it’s good to know what the Highway Code says about holding up traffic. When you’re on the tow or in charge of a large vehicle, safety is paramount and it’s only right that you adjust your speed accordingly, slowing down if necessary.
“But if you spot a large queue of traffic building up behind you, try to pull over when it’s safe to do so in order to let them pass. It’s not just Highway Code advice, it’s also a courtesy for other road users.
“On the flip side, if you find yourself stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle of any sort – whether it’s a car pulling a caravan, a large HGV, or a tractor and trailer – maintain a safe following distance, keep checking your mirrors for other vehicles who may also be looking to overtake, and only pull out to overtake when it’s safe to do so.”
The Highway Code advice about moving over for other traffic also applies to tractors and agricultural vehicles.
The National Farmers Union advises: “When you become aware of traffic building up behind you, pull over when safe and legal to do so, to allow faster vehicles to safely pass you.”
In 2014 police in Dyfed-Powys, Wales, warned tractor drivers they may be committing an offence if they hold up traffic and urged farmers to pull in to lay-bys when six or more vehicles follow them.
A similar warning was issued by police in Gloucestershire Police in 2015, with Forest Local Policing Area PC Richard Simpson saying: “When tractors and other slow moving vehicles don’t pull over when they have the chance to do so, in order to let traffic past, they can cause obstructions and long tailbacks, and they may be committing offence.”
