As South Africans prepare for winter school holiday travel and long-distance road trips, towing experts are urging motorists to check their trailer lights before setting off, warning that a simple oversight could result in fines, safety risks and avoidable roadside delays.
With more caravans, boats, utility trailers and food trailers expected to be on major routes during the busy winter travel period, trailer visibility is becoming an increasingly important road safety issue.
According to Russell Ferreira from Diamond Trailers, many drivers spend time ensuring their trailers are loaded and secured correctly but fail to inspect lights and electrical connections before travelling.
“Trailer lights are one of those things people often assume are working until they suddenly realise they’re not,” said Ferreira.
“But it’s usually the first thing traffic officials notice when a vehicle is towing.”
Under South African road regulations, trailer brake lights, indicators and registration plates must remain fully visible and functional while on the road. Drivers found towing with defective lights or obscured registration plates can face fines that may run into several hundred rand, depending on the municipality and offence.
Ferreira said trailer lighting issues are particularly common during holiday periods because many trailers spend long stretches parked and unused.
“A lot of trailers are sitting for long periods and only come out again before holidays, road trips or busy travel weekends,” he said.
“That’s when problems like corroded plugs, wiring faults or non-working indicators tend to show up.”
Even minor lighting faults can create significant hazards, particularly on long-distance journeys and during poor weather conditions.
“If indicators are flickering, brake lights are weak or number plates aren’t properly visible at night, it becomes much harder for other drivers to react safely,” Ferreira said.
“On long-distance routes, especially in bad weather or early evening conditions, visibility becomes extremely important.”
Road safety concerns around towing tend to receive greater attention during peak travel periods, with authorities regularly highlighting the risks associated with poorly maintained trailers during school holidays and other busy travel seasons.
According to Ferreira, some of the most commonly overlooked towing issues include faulty indicators and brake lights, corroded electrical plugs, loose wiring, partially obscured registration plates, poorly secured loads, uneven weight distribution and tyres that have deteriorated while standing unused.
He said many of these problems can be identified and resolved through a simple inspection before departure.
“People are often surprised by how small the issue actually is,” he said.
“Sometimes it’s just a loose connection or wiring problem that takes a few minutes to identify before leaving.”
Regular maintenance and pre-trip checks can help improve safety for both motorists and other road users, Ferreira added.
“When trailers are roadworthy, balanced correctly and fully visible, towing becomes far safer and less stressful,” he said.
“A lot of problems can be avoided simply by checking the basics before getting on the road.”
He also noted that towing has become increasingly common among South Africans, whether for holidays, business activities or recreational use.
“More people are towing than ever before, whether for holidays, business or lifestyle purposes,” Ferreira said.
“That’s why understanding the legal and safety side of towing is becoming increasingly important.”
