Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department plans to consult with local authorities, road safety bodies and the caravan and motorhome industry to ensure that any guidance or regulatory changes balance road safety with compliance and fair practice for site operators.

Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Government Whip, Lord Commissioner of HM Treasury

There are no plans to publish any guidance or regulatory changes for caravan site operators. As part of our new Road Safety Strategy, we will be updating guidance on “Setting Speed Limits” for local authorities.

Towing a trailer safely requires skill and knowledge. Taking some training helps drivers build confidence and competence. DVSA encourages anyone who tows, or intends to tow, to sign up to training with an accredited trainer to remain safe on the road.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of the discrepancy between traffic regulations that encourage drivers to use lay-bys for rest breaks to improve road safety and caravan site licensing regulations that require caravans to be sited at prescribed distances apart for fire safety and planning compliance on car and caravan drivers; and whether her Department plans to issue guidance to motorists using caravans or motorhomes on using lay-bys for rest periods.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department has no such plans. Provision of lay-bys is a matter for local highway authorities. Advice to drivers on the safe use of roads, including taking appropriate breaks, is given in the Highway Code. There are no traffic regulations that encourage drivers to use lay-bys for rest breaks.

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