A1 Caravan Crash

On 8th July, traffic on the Morpeth section of the A1 was brought to a halt after a motorist driving a Land Rover Freelander chose to take his makeshift trailer for a spin. The trailer was actually a caravan which had been cut in half. This led to the driver’s household belongings, including a washing machine, being scattered across the carriageway, which obviously caused dangerous obstructions to other road users.

Officers responded to the call just before 11pm. They were told that a trailer had somehow malfunctioned and launched debris across the road, but after attending to the scene they realised there may have been more to the initial story. It was then they realised the trailer had been bodged-up and was evidently not road worthy before or after the incident.

Luckily, no one was hurt, but a lot of people were inconvenience by the carnage wrought by the strewn belongings. Despite the lack of injuries, the driver has been reported for driving dangerously in a vehicle not fit for purpose. It also came to light that the driver’s 12-month Isle of Man driver’s license had expired.

Chief inspector Mick Hall, said ‘We will continue to do what we can to make our roads as safe as possible.’

It is important that when a pupil is on their driving lessons in, let’s say Hungerford, they are made aware of the poor habits of other drivers. There should not simply be a focus on their own skills, but the potential ignorance and lack of common sense displayed by others using the road.