A CRACKDOWN on caravanning incidents throughout North Yorkshire has been launched by the Highways Agency.

Drivers are being urged to help cut the number of towing related incidents by checking their caravan or trailer before setting off.

There were 397 towing related incidents in Yorkshire and the North East recorded on the group’s roads between July and September in 2013, and 2,415 incident nationally.

However, the Highways Agency claims many of these incidents could have been avoided if simple checks had been carried out, particularly where the caravan or trailer had not been used since the previous year.

Andy Withington, a service delivery manager for the group, said: “The vast majority of caravanners and people who tow are safe and responsible drivers – however we do see a big peak in caravan and towing incidents during the summer, many of which could be avoided if drivers had carried out a few simple checks.