After my last post regarding awnings separating from RVs, /defective-and-dangerous-products/rv-awnings-can-become-missiles.aspx?googleid=306504, I received an email from Ron J. Melancon who is the Founder/President of Dangerous Trailers.org. He brought to my attention the number of injuries and deaths caused by trailers coming loose from the towing vehicle. I learned some scary things about trailers, the lack of standards, the lack of government control or interest and even worse the number of unnecessary injuries and deaths caused by trailers. I encourage you to go to the Dangerous Trailers.org webpage and learn more for yourself. http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/
Among the sad stories of lost lives and serious injuries, the website offers two books by the Purdue University Extension Service that can be downloaded for free: “Keep the Trailer Connected to the Truck-Understanding the ‘Hitch’ System” and “The Tractor Hitch Pin- A Critical Component in Keeping Control of Implements.” Both books give excellent safety advice on towing trailers or farm implements. They also provide photographs of the disastrous consequences when safety precautions are not taken or improper equipment is used in towing.
Dangerous Trailers.org also keeps up with trailer accidents in the various states. For example, it reports over 1,000 trailer accidents in Alabama. Those accidents include deaths. Dangerous Trailers.org has followed trailer related accidents in the news media as well as gathered information from the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHTSA). It reports that since 1975 over 15,010 people have been killed and since 1988 over 451,050 people have been injured by trailers. These numbers are shocking. There are simple safety rules that can be employed that would have prevented many of these accidents.
I would encourage all trailer owners or implement haulers to visit the webpage http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/ and review their information so you can be aware of the dangers when towing equipment. Learn how to protect your trailer from coming off. Nobody wants to be the cause of an incident that kills or seriously injures innocent people.
