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Group seeks uniform laws for hauling utility trailers

2011-05-13T12:00:00.000-07:00

Group seeks uniform laws for hauling utility trailers

By Tom Smith
Senior Staff Writer

Published: Sunday, January 2, 2011 at 3:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, January 1, 2011 at 10:33 p.m.

Eddie Russell said he can’t help but worry every time he attaches a trailer to his vehicle and begins towing it. He wonders if this will be the time it comes loose as he’s driving down the road.

As coordinator of the North Alabama Highway Safety Office, Russell is well aware of what can happen when a utility trailer becomes unhitched and is spinning out of control in traffic.

In Alabama, the result has been the death of 83 people.

“No matter how many times you’ve pulled a trailer, that’s always going to be a worry; it is for me,” Russell said. “I’m always wondering if everything is in the right order, and in the back of my mind, I think about what might happen.”

Jim Martin, manger of the Northwest Alabama Stockyard in Russellville, has pulled cattle trailers, horse trailers and utility trailers for years.

“We take every precaution we can,” Martin said. “That doesn’t always happen with others, though. While traveling, I’ve seen accidents happen because of trailers breaking loose or items on the trailer coming off.”

A trailer-related accident in 2003 motivated Ron Melancon, of Virginia, to start a grassroots movement to promote uniform laws and standards involving utility trailers. Melancon ran into a rear of a utility trailer without taillights. He escaped serious injury but started researching the use of utility trailers and found few laws regarding their use.

The next year, working with state legislators in Virginia, a law was passed requiring reflective tape to be on every utility trailer.

Melancon continued researching trailer safety and became more concerned.

“Every day, at least one person, somewhere in the U.S., is killed by an accident that involves a utility trailer,” Melancon said.

Statistics from the National Highway Safety Office show 322 people were killed nationwide in 2009 in crashes involving a vehicle pulling a trailer. There were 22 fatalities in Alabama, according to the report.

“I wanted to get Congress to do something,” he said. “When I talked with the National Highway Safety Office and insurance companies about this issue, I was told it was a state-by-state issue. My concern is there should be a uniform law governing utility trailers as well as trailer hitches.

“A trailer in New York should have the same standards as one in Alabama. It’s just like a home builder — they have standards and unified codes.”

He said, for instance, secure chains should be hooked from the trailers to the chassis of the vehicle hauling the trailer. Also, he said lights and reflective tape should be required on all trailers.

“It’s nothing more than a matter of safety,” Melancon said.

He is concentrating his efforts on trailers weighing less than 3,000 pounds, which have no regulations. He said there are federal laws already in place regulating trailers weighing more than 3,000 pounds.

“I can understand his concern,” Russell said.

“I’ve seen trailers come loose and even saw a boat break off a trailer and cause a wreck. I can see where something needs to be done and the need for regulations on all trailers.”

Melancon said Virginia is the only state mandating standards for utility trailers.

Working with families who have been affected by fatalities caused from crashes involving utility trailers, Melancon hopes more states will get on board.

“We tried in Hawaii and Louisiana but failed,” he said.

“We have bills pending in Wisconsin and North Carolina that we are hoping to get passed this year. We’re a grassroots movement, but we’re growing and we’re doing all we can to bring light to this problem.”

For details, go to dangeroustrailers.com.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.

By the numbers

1,839 people were killed nationwide in crashes involving vehicles hauling a utility trailer from 2005-09.
65,566 injures were reported from crashes involving vehicles hauling a utility trailer from 2005-09.
83 people were killed in Alabama in accidents involving vehicles hauling a utility trailer from 2005-09.

Source: National Highway Safety Office

Editorial: Traffic laws can prevent tragedies And Our Letter To The Editor

2010-10-28T09:24:00.001-07:00

Editorial: Traffic laws can prevent tragedies

Monday, October 18, 2010

5 Comments | Leave a Comment

The thunderstorm that pushed across Pitt County on Thursday brought spells of heavy rainfall, making the morning commute for local drivers a bit more treacherous. While all motorists used their wipers for a clear view, few switched on their headlights as mandated by state law, a requirement intended to make vehicles more visible in inclement weather.

That represents one casual bit of illegal behavior repeated incessantly on area roadways, but another example of habits that can endanger others and contribute to accidents could prove responsible for a fatality. Drivers in eastern North Carolina should do better by one another by adhering to proper practices, just as law enforcement should strive to improve road safety whenever they can.

Tragedy visited Pitt County on Tuesday when a truck moving north on N.C. 43 had its trailer unhinge and collide with an SUV traveling south. Lisa Langemann, a 27-year-old teacher at Bethel Elementary School, was killed in the accident, and her two daughters in the car were injured. The ensuing investigation found that the trailer was homemade and lacked the safety cables and chains required by state law. The other driver has been charged in Langemann's death.

Motorists in Pitt County are likely to have seen such trailers countless times in their travels. Though they must be inspected by the Department of Transportation or the N.C. Highway Patrol, it is not a leap to question how many who use such equipment are even aware that is the case. It means accidents like this one, a wreck that claimed a young life, are more likely than the average motorist might consider.

Safety on area roadways can sometimes seem like a gamble. Narrow roadways with an abundance of traffic and the occasional piece of farm equipment can all contribute to unpredictability when driving. Factor in drivers' unsafe behavior — speeding, eating, talking on cell phones and other distractions — and it is little wonder that AAA Carolinas ranked Pitt County tops in the state for accidents in 2008.

Motorists must accept more responsibility for their habits behind the wheel by learning state laws and following them. Their repeated refusal to do so should inspire area law enforcement to provide additional encouragement through more rigorous ticketing for moving violations. Even the little things — like using the headlights during downpours — can bolster safety on area roadways. That, in turn, could prevent an accident and even save a life.

Our Letter That Was Published!

Letter: Stricter standards for trailers

Friday, October 22, 2010

6 Comments | Leave a Comment

I read with interest the Oct. 18 editorial, “Traffic laws can prevent tragedies,” which referenced the tragic loss of a mom, wife and teacher due to a loose utility trailer. This accident was totally preventable had we had an inspection and safety standards for trailers under 3,000 gross vehicle weight rating.

Please note the reason these trailers are not getting pulled over is because the way the law is currently written it is a secondary offense and not a primary. An offender must be committing an offense, like running a stop sign. Then the officer can provide a ticket for not having safety chains.

The clearest example I can provide of the magnitude of the infraction is the following: Would you secure your own child in a child safety seat without using the seat belt, improper level and homemade? In this example, do we allow people to make homemade child safety seats? I ask then why is the person behind you any less important than your own child?

In closing, the Dangerous Trailers Web site has been addressing the total lack of safety standards, quality and training on passenger cars that tow trailers for more than eight years. We have documentation from the highest level of our government and yet nothing on a national level has been done. We know what needs to be done and I am willing to help. We just need the support.

RON J. MELANCON

Glen Allen, Va.

Tragic Hay Ride Amusement Death Spotlights Minimal Laws and Regulations Concerning Safety and Regard For Life

2010-10-24T08:06:00.001-07:00

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Posted On: August 2, 2010 by Jeffrey M. Reiff

Tragic Hay Ride Amusement Death Spotlights Minimal Laws and Regulations Concerning Safety and Regard For Life

As an experienced hay ride accident and amusement accident lawyer who regularly investigates and prosecutes hay ride accident cases, I salute the efforts of government officials in Kentucky to investigate safety laws on hay rides after the death of a 44-year-old woman. The victim, Terry Hurley, was killed after a tractor and hay ride wagon carrying 30 people on a farm jackknifed on a hill and began to slide down the hill. Investigators indicated that the tractor began to slide coming down a hill and the trailer then jackknifed at which point the victim was thrown off and struck by a wagon wheel. She was pronounced dead of head and chest injuries at the hospital. Five other people sustained injuries as well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the victims.

As an attorney who has investigated and prosecuted hay ride cases, I am surprised that there are no stringent regulations concerning who can operate farm vehicles. In this case, Dale Dobson, head of the Farm Safety Program for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture stated that Kentucky has no regulations concerning who can operate farm vehicles. “There are no laws and we don’t need any laws,” he stated.

Ron Melancon, a former medical emergency technician from Richmond, Virginia, has been a stalwart consumer advocate promoting stringent safety regulations to prevent injuries and deaths resulting from defective trailers. Ron regularly collects information regarding deaths and accidents involving trailers and farm vehicles and knows that people operating hay rides or trailers often don’t even know how to work the lights or connect the trailer properly. Ron states, “a lot of trailers out there are just in bad condition.” For more information go to Ron’s website at www.dangeroustrailers.org or visit our website www.reiffandbily.com and click on our dedicated subsections devoted to defective trailers and hay ride accidents.

Many trailers are homemade and do not require licenses to operate. Nobody is there to verify that it is safe. Unfortunately, many of the laws being used in 2010 are from the 1920's and 30's. Not so surprisingly, in excess of 400,000 people a year are injured in trailer accidents in the United States and many of these unfortunately involve children and unsuspecting patrons at Halloween hay rides. We recently concluded a case where a young man and his mother were run over by the wheels of a Halloween hay ride amusement ride.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a hay ride, amusement, or defective trailer accident, please contact one of our attorneys for a free no obligation consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

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Hayride death spotlights lack of safety laws

2010-10-24T08:02:00.001-07:00

Wednesday, Jul. 07, 2010

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Hayride death spotlights lack of safety laws

woman died after hayride crash

By Katie Saltz - ksaltz@herald-leader.com

As police investigate the death of a woman thrown from a hay wagon Saturday, a Kentucky agriculture official says there are few laws concerning safety on farm vehicles.

Terri Hurley, 44, was killed after a wagon carrying 30 people on a Mercer County farm jackknifed on a hill. Investigators have said the tractor pulling the trailer began to slide coming down a hill and the trailer then jackknifed. Hurley was thrown off and struck by a trailer wheel. She was taken to James B. Haggin Memorial Hospital in Harrodsburg, where she was pronounced dead of head and chest injuries.

Five other people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, a deputy coroner said.

Kentucky State Police are waiting for toxicology reports of the driver.

Dale Dobson, head of the Farm Safety Program through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, said the state does not have any regulations concerning who can operate farm vehicles.

"There are no laws, and we don't need any laws," he said.

Dobson said the death rate from farm-equipment accidents has decreased from 50 a year in the mid-1990s to 13 or 14 a year in the late 2000s. The safety program educates farmers on how to prevent accidents and trains emergency responders on how to handle accidents.

"We educate that it is your life, your family, your farm and your responsibility," Dobson said.

Ron Melancon, a former emergency medical technician in Richmond, Va., collects information regarding deaths and accidents involving trailers and farm vehicles, and he said changes need to be made in Kentucky law. People often don't know how to work lights or connect a trailer properly, he said.

"A lot of trailers out there are in bad condition," said Melancon, who runs the Web site www.dangeroustrailers.org. "There is no training in how to drive one with people in it; they are meant for cargo."

Melancon said the crashes occur because many wagons used by families are homemade and do not require a license to operate.

"Nobody is verifying what you are building is safe," he said. "We are using 1930 laws in 2010."

Mark Purschwitz, an extension professor in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, said that when a wagon or trailer jackknifes, it is usually because the tractor pulling the wagon could not handle the load.

"People think the tractor just needs to be big enough to pull the load, but it also has to be big enough to stop it," said Purschwitz, who specializes in farm health and safety through the Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention.

Because farm work is often shared among a family, including children, Purschwitz said, regulations probably won't change because of deep-held farm traditions.

"There are so many variables and so many different situations that occur with farm work, so the tradition has been to leave it as an issue of personal responsibility," he said.

Melancon began his Internet project in 2003 after he rear-ended a trailer while driving his ambulance. He said the trailer was black with wire mesh and the lights were so low he couldn't see them. He was found not guilty in the collision, began researching trailer accidents and realized how many people were at risk for injury or death because of improper use of farm vehicles.

According to data he has gathered, Melancon said, more than 400 people a year are killed in trailer accidents in the United States. He said people might not realize the frequency of farm-vehicle accidents.

"Newspapers report a freak accident here and a freak accident there, and no one notices it is a national problem," he said.

Purschwitz said calls for reform on farm-vehicle regulations usually come from people outside the world of agriculture. He said some people want to require a license to use farm equipment, while "old-timer" farmers respond that they began operating tractors well before their teen years.

"There has to be a middle ground," Purschwitz said.

Melancon said he has pushed for new trailer laws in Virginia and is pushing for change in other states. Hearing about Hurley's death only reinforced his desire to reform state regulations.

"It is horrific, and it bothers me," he said.

Hurley was a meter reader for American Water Co. She is survived by her parents, Harold and Patricia Ann Hurley of Harrodsburg, and a brother, James Harold Hurley of Burgin.

Services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday at Immanuel Baptist Church in Danville. Visitation begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday at the church. Ransdell Funeral Chapel in Harrodsburg is in charge of arrangements.

Herald-Leader staff writer Karla Ward and the Associated Press contributed to this story.

CSP cites driver for trailer wreck

2010-09-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

8/12/2010 6:00:00 AM

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CSP cites driver for trailer wreck

Reid Wright
Journal Staff Writer

A local man was cited for a loose-trailer accident that smashed a sport utility vehicle and hospitalized an Oregon woman Aug. 5 on U.S. 491 near Cortez.

Following a Colorado State Patrol investigation, Kurt Trudeau was issued a citation for careless driving causing injury regarding the incident. It is apparent the fertilizer spreader being towed by Trudeau began to fishtail, a pin came loose and the farm implement separated from the Dodge pickup and drifted into the oncoming lane, colliding with a Toyota 4Runner driven by Feryl Laney, Trooper Joshua Boden said.

According to witnesses, Laney's vehicle then spun counter-clockwise, lost control and flipped end over end - ejecting the woman. The vehicle smashed into a security gate and came to a rest on Laney's leg.

Laney is in stable condition after being airlifted to St. Mary's hospital in Grand Junction, Boden said.

Dangeroustrailers.org President Ron Melancon said accidents such as this are not uncommon. Four hundred nineteen people have been killed in trailer-related incidents in Colorado since 1975, he said. Although the state requires safety chains, there are no other regulations for trailers under 3,000 pounds, he said,

"Why do we have to wait for another person to get hurt or lose their life to do the right thing?" he said.

Further, Melancon said incidents in which trailers come loose but do not cause injury or property damage go unreported.

In this case, the fertilizer spreader is legally classified as a farm implement in the state of Colorado - rendering the device even more immune to regulation, Melancon said. In the state of Virginia, such devices are not allowed to travel on the road, he said.

"A farm implement is supposed to be used on a farm," he said. "We all preach personal responsibility. Would you secure a child in a child safety seat the way you secured that farm implement?"

Reach Reid Wright at reidw@cortezjournal.com.

New Law

2010-06-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

June 22, 2010 11:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time
New Virginia Law Effective July 1 Highlights Importance of Trailer Safety
Runaway Trailer Accidents Caused over 15,000 Deaths since 1975 – Most Were Preventable
RICHMOND, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Summer begins this week, and many families are towing their boats and campers to their favorite lake or campsite. Unfortunately, this fun, carefree scenario can become dangerous when folks are not aware of the basics of trailer safety. Since 1988, over 400 people have died every year on America’s roads in trailer separation accidents, with the most common occurrence involving innocent victims, when a trailer detaching from a vehicle becomes a missile directed towards an on-coming vehicle. The results are devastating. Even more unsettling is that the injuries, lost lives and property damage caused by poor safety connections between trailers and passenger cars are totally preventable.
“We have been working to get this law enacted in Virginia since 2004”
The State of Virginia has called attention to this dangerous situation and enacted the strictest law in the nation aimed at preventing accidental separation. Beginning July 1 Virginia law enforcement officers will be handing out $250 fines if the hundreds of thousands of trailer owners in Virginia – including boat trailers, utility trailers, camper trailers, ATV trailers and more – do not have the proper safety connections.
“We have been working to get this law enacted in Virginia since 2004,” says longtime trailer safety advocate and Virginian Ron Melancon of www.dangeroustrailers.org. “And with the passage of this bill Virginia is now the model state for trailer safety. We are very appreciative to State Senator John C. Watkins for listening and sponsoring this life-saving legislation.”
A 2006 study by Master Lock shows that most Americans who tow are ill-informed on safe towing practices.
According to trailer safety device expert Karl Pratt -- who was instrumental in helping Melancon effect the current law and agrees that lack of education and understanding about trailer hitch safety is the key cause of accidents -- there are several basic questions you can ask to make sure your trailer connection is secure and permit you to address any dangers before it's too late. Here are the basic trailer connection questions as identified by Pratt, who is the inventor/founder of Safety Sentry Inc. (www.safetysentryinc.com), a hitch lock safety device that prevents accidental separation of utility trailers from towing vehicles in virtually all circumstances.
Are you thoroughly familiar with your equipment? Is your vehicle and hitch setup able to pull the size of the trailer you have and tow the weight you are carrying? Have you properly distributed the weight of your load inside your trailer? Do you understand the responsible speed you should travel when towing specific weights?
What is the condition of your equipment? Is it getting old? Tweaks and bends in hitches can be signs of stress and potential failure. Trailer balls should be smooth, and scored or rusty balls should be replaced as they will cause excessive wear.
Are you aware that hitch balls come in three different sizes and that the balls must be the right size for the coupler on the trailer you are towing? If you connect a 2-inch ball with a 2-5/16 inch coupler, it may stay connected – or it may fly off when you hit a pothole or a big bump in the road.
Do you know how to connect your safety chains properly? Are yours the right length and correct gauge? If they are too long or too light, your safety chains will be useless to prevent an accident if for some reason the trailer becomes detached. When connected, safety chains should have some slack to permit sharp turns but should not drag on the road. In addition, the chains should crisscross under the trailer. This helps prevent the trailer from dropping to the road by cradling the coupler, in the event the trailer separates from the tow vehicle.
Trailer towing is safe when precautions are taken. Based on his own experience when his trailer became separated on a bumpy road, Pratt advocates a secondary safety device for added protection and peace of mind.
A secondary device is inexpensive added insurance, he says, that can prevent detachment even if the ball doesn’t fit the coupler properly, the safety chains fail, and the coupler locking device is faulty or not locked.
“Irrespective of proper use of chains [which are already mandated in many localities], all trailer towing configurations would benefit from, and should have, a secondary safety device,” concurs
Pennsylvania safety inspection expert Bernie Elder of Compuspections whose firm has decades of experience in inspecting trailers.
Both Pratt and Melancon agree that with more safety awareness and tougher legislation in other states, all too common runaway trailer accidents should decrease dramatically.
“The solution is readily available right now,” says Melancon. “Every loose trailer accident, every death caused by trailers that separate while driving, is preventable right now.”
Contacts
Stephen Koenigsberg Public RelationsStephen Koenigsberg, 303-861-3030steve@koenigsbergpr.com

Lawmaker Wants Stricter Rules on Trailer Hitches Posted Wednesday May 12, 2010 2 hours, 14 minutes ago

2010-05-12T12:45:00.001-07:00

Lawmaker Wants Stricter Rules on Trailer Hitches

Posted Wednesday May 12, 2010 2 hours, 14 minutes ago

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WTAQ) - A state senator is looking into a possible bill for stricter rules on vehicles that pull trailers. Democrat Dave Hansen of Green Bay hopes to submit a proposal in the next legislative session which begins in January.

It’s in response to an accident last month on the Highway 41 expressway near Green Bay. A trailer broke from a pickup truck, struck a car, and killed its driver – UW-Green Bay student Whitney Radder of Kiel.

The truck driver was given 2 traffic citations for using sub-standard hitches, and towing with improper safety chains. No criminal charges have been filed, and authorities continue to investigate.

Media reports say Wisconsin has the 11th highest number of deaths involving cars that tow trailers. There were 377 such deaths and over 11,000 injuries between 1975 and 2008. And the state DOT said there were 117 citations issued in connection with trailer mishaps in the last 5 years.

Man alerts people about trailer-towing dangers

2010-04-04T05:38:00.001-07:00

Man alerts people about trailer-towing dangers

By Rich Flowers Athens Daily Review, Texas
Publication: Athens Daily Review (Texas)
Date: Friday, March 19 2010

Mar. 19--March 19, 2010

Man alerts people about trailer-towing dangers

Athens -- Not long after he read the Athens Review account of an 88-year-old woman injured when a boat trailer came loose from its towing vehicle and slammed into a van, Ron Melancon was on the phone.

Melancon

wants to alert anyone who will listen to the potential dangers of passenger cars pulling trailers. Now based in Glen Allen Virginia, the Houston native says trailers have killed 2,165 in the state since 1975.

"There's so much attention paid to the Toyota recall when trailers have killed many more people," Melancon said.

Sunday afternoon, Henrietta Milliken was a passenger in a Dodge Caravan traveling on State Highway 198 near Caney City. A trailer, hauling a boat, came loose from a pick-up, crossed into the opposite lane, and hit the Caravan head on. Milliken was flown to a Tyler hospital for treatment.

Melancon maintains the Dangerous Trailers.com website that lists accounts of trailer-related accidents that have resulted in deaths and injuries nationwide. The site is filled with newspaper accounts of the wrecks and many pictures of victims.

Some stories from Texas include the death of a 54-year-old man from Mesquite who was killed when struck by a trailer on North Central Expressway of Dallas. In that case, the truck pulling the trailer was driven by a 30-year-old Mabank man.

In another case two Texas A&M University-Commerce students were killed, and one injured when their SUV was hit by a trailer that came loose from a truck, and crossed the Interstate 30 median, east of Royse City.

Melancon wants Texas to toughen up its standard requirements for utility trailer hitches. He also says that trailers weighing less than 3,000 pounds have no construction or quality standards in the state.

"These trailers that come lose cause havoc, not to the driver of the trailer, but to the citizens of Texas," Melancon said.

Trailers that come loose are not the only danger, Melancon said. Many trailers are on the road without reflective lights or they have lights that are not working.

Melancon wants to see the federal government set trailer standards that apply for all 50 states.

"If a truck starts in Texas, he should meet the same standards as in Virginia or another state," Melancon said.

To see more of the Athens Daily Review or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.athensreview.com/ . Copyright (c) 2010, Athens Daily Review, Texas Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com , call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

Man alerts people about trailer-towing dangers

2010-04-04T05:36:00.001-07:00

March 19, 2010

Man alerts people about trailer-towing dangers

Rich Flowers The Athens Review

Athens — Not long after he read the Athens Review account of an 88-year-old woman injured when a boat trailer came loose from its towing vehicle and slammed into a van, Ron Melancon was on the phone.

Melancon wants to alert anyone who will listen to the potential dangers of passenger cars pulling trailers. Now based in Glen Allen Virginia, the Houston native says trailers have killed 2,165 in the state since 1975.

“There’s so much attention paid to the Toyota recall when trailers have killed many more people,” Melancon said.

Sunday afternoon, Henrietta Milliken was a passenger in a Dodge Caravan traveling on State Highway 198 near Caney City. A trailer, hauling a boat, came loose from a pick-up, crossed into the opposite lane, and hit the Caravan head on. Milliken was flown to a Tyler hospital for treatment.

Melancon maintains the Dangerous Trailers.com website that lists accounts of trailer-related accidents that have resulted in deaths and injuries nationwide. The site is filled with newspaper accounts of the wrecks and many pictures of victims.

Some stories from Texas include the death of a 54-year-old man from Mesquite who was killed when struck by a trailer on North Central Expressway of Dallas. In that case, the truck pulling the trailer was driven by a 30-year-old Mabank man.

In another case two Texas A&M University-Commerce students were killed, and one injured when their SUV was hit by a trailer that came loose from a truck, and crossed the Interstate 30 median, east of Royse City.

Melancon wants Texas to toughen up its standard requirements for utility trailer hitches. He also says that trailers weighing less than 3,000 pounds have no construction or quality standards in the state.

“These trailers that come lose cause havoc, not to the driver of the trailer, but to the citizens of Texas,” Melancon said.

Trailers that come loose are not the only danger, Melancon said. Many trailers are on the road without reflective lights or they have lights that are not working.

Melancon wants to see the federal government set trailer standards that apply for all 50 states.

“If a truck starts in Texas, he should meet the same standards as in Virginia or another state,” Melancon said.

Letter: Something should be done about crashes

2010-04-04T05:28:00.001-07:00

http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20100320/WRT06/3200333

Letter: Something should be done about crashes

March 20, 2010

My brother died Aug. 4, 2005, because a northern Wisconsin motorcycle business didn't properly hook up its enclosed trailer when it was hauling a three-wheeler. Well, it went through his windshield, killing him, leaving behind a wife and two little boys.

I was shocked to find his picture on a Web site, Dangerous Trailers Virtual Memorial United States -- his name is John T. Lotter. The Web site is run by Ron Melancon; he is trying to get the laws changed for all the people on his site and to save lives.

Toyota has a recall because at least 40 people died in 10 years, and yet 400 people died in one year the same way my brother did and nobody knows it!

How many families have to go through the pain that my family is still feeling? Please go to www.dangeroustrailers.org and take a look at all the people who have died. Can't something be done?

Donna Moser

Wisconsin Rapids

ChapterT1 wrote:

Your loss was very sudden and very tragic.

I feel the Spirit of the Lord urging me to let you know that He loves you, your brother, your brother's family and everyone. God is patient, not wanting any to leave this life just to enter an eternal hell, God wants you in heaven with him precious people.

If this happened to you or one of your loved ones, do you know with 100% certainty where you or they will be when this precious life has ended? We ALL have sinned and need forgiveness to enter the gates of heaven.

Jesus shed his blood for the forgiveness of ALL who would accept it. Its not yours unless you take it. You must choose heaven. Can anyone really say they don't want to enter heaven one day? Who is offered free food and walks away from it. Or free drink? Yet many are passing on the free gift of heaven -

We cannot prevent all accidents and untimely deaths, but we can ALL be reunited one day.

Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior with your WHOLE heart today!
3/23/2010 5:55:12 AM

Your loss was very sudden and very tragic. I feel the Spirit of the Lord urging me to let you know that He loves you, your brother, your brother's family and everyone. God is patient, not wanting any to leave this life just to enter an eternal hell, God wants you in heaven with him precious people. If this happened to you or one of your loved ones, do you know with 100% certainty where you or they will be when this precious life has ended? We ALL have sinned and need forgiveness to enter the gates of heaven. Jesus shed his blood for the forgiveness of ALL who would accept it. Its not yours unless you take it. You must choose heaven. Can anyone really say they don't want to enter heaven one day? Who is offered free food and walks away from it. Or free drink? Yet many are passing on the free gift of heaven - We cannot prevent all accidents and untimely deaths, but we can ALL be reunited one day. Confess Jesus as your Lord and Savior with your WHOLE heart today!

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DMoser26 wrote:

My brother was not following behind the trailer! He was going north and they were going south, the ball was too small and the chains were rusty and the air break was not hooked up. The trailer hit him head on, he had no chance to react, no good byes and no I love yous!! Most cases it is not that someone is following too close, they never seen it coming (your dead). My brother sold trailer parts for a living and really knew his stuff!! The weekend before he was killed he told my brother-in-law that he better make sure his trailer was hooked up right and pulled up on it three time! Ron thank you for all your hard work, we love you for that!!!
3/22/2010 9:42:49 AM

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jmreiff wrote:

Donna:
I am so sorry to learn of your tragic loss.As an experienced defective trailer and product liability lawyer since 1979,I am very much aware of a dramatic increase in the number of catastrophic injuries and fatalities which occur as a result of minimal regulation and construction and design defects with regard to trailers.We have noted that many trailers under the GVWR of 3000lbs are not subject to safety regulations which generally is an invitation to senseless injuries and deaths of otherwise innocent vitims.In the many cases that we have investigated,we have found many obvious safety regulations with regard to braking systems and design,lighting ,hitching and inspection requirements.I agree with consumer advocate Ron Melancon,one of the unsung heroes of consumer safety who emphasizes that manufacturers will continue to place an emphasis on profitability rather than consumer safety unless they are taken to task by responsible lawmakers.Jeffrey M. Reiff www.reiffandbily.com
3/22/2010 9:12:43 AM

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Hamguy wrote:

This is surely a tragic story. It is sad when anyone dies on our roads, for whatever reason. There is a general failure on the part of all drivers that the roads are not safeways but are full of potential danger; there are risks when we take to the road. While it may be fair to say that legislation might help reduce incidents involving trailers and new laws will probably have an effect for the good, we need to be more alert when traveling near vehicles pulling trailers. Keeping our distance when following a trailer will improve safety. We often forget that we should keep at least 10 feet behind for every ten miles per hour. This tends to provide a cushion when something in front of us goes awry. Lets push for more highway safety but be sure our own driving habits are consistent with the safety rules already on the books.
3/21/2010 8:21:22 AM

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RonMelancon wrote:

We have even recoreded 9 police officers, 2 Fireman and 1 FBI agent...along with his son killed by the same manner that took the life of John Lottier...

Ziegler was in his patrol car heading south on U.S. 67 on the morning of Sept. 29, 2001, when a utility trailer broke loose from a northbound sport utility vehicle. The trailer slammed into Ziegler's car. The 32-year-old officer died the following day at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis.

Before he ever became a road deputy, while still a jailer for Sheriff Dan Bullock, Ziegler was given the nickname "Chachi." It came from a character on the old television series "Happy Days" and stuck with him after he became a road officer.

Ziegler was the father of four children. His wife and children became the first in our county to benefit from the recently formed St. Francois County chapter of the Backstoppers.

Go to http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/Police_Officers_Killed.html

And still NOTHING is done!
3/20/2010 10:33:38 AM

We have even recoreded 9 police officers, 2 Fireman and 1 FBI agent...along with his son killed by the same manner that took the life of John Lottier... Ziegler was in his patrol car heading south on U.S. 67 on the morning of Sept. 29, 2001, when a utility trailer broke loose from a northbound sport utility vehicle. The trailer slammed into Ziegler's car. The 32-year-old officer died the following day at St. John's Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis. Before he ever became a road deputy, while still a jailer for Sheriff Dan Bullock, Ziegler was given the nickname "Chachi." It came from a character on the old television series "Happy Days" and stuck with him after he became a road officer. Ziegler was the father of four children. His wife and children became the first in our county to benefit from the recently formed St. Francois County chapter of the Backstoppers. Go to http://www.dangeroustrailers.org/Police_Officers_Killed.html And still NOTHING is done!

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RonMelancon wrote:

Please note that our Organization has introduced New legislation in Virginia this year. It is Senate Bill 646...

Go to Virginia General Assembly then under the Capitol click Legislative Information Systems then go to bills and resolutions and in the box type SB646.

The reason we have not done a press release on this...or posted the results on our web site is we do NOT want to give the industry a Head Up...so they can try to lobby to stop it.

It passed the House of Delegates 99-0 UNCONTESTED... It passed the Senate 40-0 UNCONTESTED it has been signed by the President of the Senate...Lt. Governor Bill Boling... and it was signed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates. It is awaiting to be sigend by our New Governor Bob McDonnell.

It is our understanding that no matter how much the Utility Trailer Industry is willing to stop this....they will not be able to . We will Keep this paper aware of the progress of this. Virginia is the First and Only State so far to enact.
3/20/2010 8:39:47 AM

Please note that our Organization has introduced New legislation in Virginia this year. It is Senate Bill 646... Go to Virginia General Assembly then under the Capitol click Legislative Information Systems then go to bills and resolutions and in the box type SB646. The reason we have not done a press release on this...or posted the results on our web site is we do NOT want to give the industry a Head Up...so they can try to lobby to stop it. It passed the House of Delegates 99-0 UNCONTESTED... It passed the Senate 40-0 UNCONTESTED it has been signed by the President of the Senate...Lt. Governor Bill Boling... and it was signed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates. It is awaiting to be sigend by our New Governor Bob McDonnell. It is our understanding that no matter how much the Utility Trailer Industry is willing to stop this....they will not be able to . We will Keep this paper aware of the progress of this. Virginia is the First and Only State so far to enact.

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RonMelancon wrote:

This letter is a courageous example of a person willing to contact me when she discovered I had covered her brothers death. I did not contact this person many years ago as it is not my place to do so. Please understand that we do not wish to bring additional pain and suffering to any familiy that sufferes the same type of accident.

The facts are the facts...we do not emblish the facts. Please go to our web site and see for yourself....NO STANDARDS ARE IN PLACE FOR ANY TRAILER JUST ONE pound under 3,000 GVWR. No training is required unlike driving a motorcycle.

The insurance industry has figured out that it is still cheaper to pay a $10,000,000 claim then address this issue. They have paid off familes that want to come forward yet need the funds for themselves. The issue is as more familes remain silent to this type of accidents then "others" are going to pay the price.

Why for the past 7 years they have ignored our cause? WHY? How many more need to loose thier lives?
3/20/2010 8:19:53 AM

Man pushes for safer trailers

2009-09-29T09:03:00.001-07:00

Man pushes for safer trailers

Comments 3 | Recommend 4

September 22, 2009 6:13 PM

Robert Boyer / Times-News

Reflective tape that costs no more than $10 might have saved the life of Joan McKinney of Rockingham County, says safety advocate Ron Melancon.

McKinney, 51, was driving a tractor on High Rock Road in southeastern Rockingham County shortly after 8 p.m. on Sept. 11 when a truck struck the rear of the trailer she was pulling. The front of the trailer disengaged and sailed over the driver’s seat, striking McKinney on the head and killing her.

William Lynn, the man driving the truck, was unable to see the trailer, which was carrying hay, Trooper A.B. Alcorn of the state Highway Patrol reported.

There were no lights or reflectors on the rear of the trailer, according to Alcon’s draft report.

Between 1975 and 2008, 297 people in North Carolina and 15,213 in the U.S. have died in similar crashes involving trailers, many of which were without reflectors or reflective tape, says Melancon, who created Dangerous Trailers, an organization that pushes for legislation requiring trailer manufacturers to install reflective tape.

A salesman who lives in Richmond, Va., Melancon began working on the issue after he failed to see a trailer with no lights and reflectors and rear-ended it in 2003.

North Carolina law requires trailers 4,000 pounds or lighter have “two red reflectors of a diameter of not less than three inches,” that must be installed “so that each reflector is visible for at least 500 feet when approached by a motor vehicle displaying lawful undimmed headlights at night on an unlighted highway.”

The law, though, fails to specify who is responsible for installing the reflectors.

Fewer deaths would occur if manufacturers were required to equip their trailers with reflector tape, Melancon said.

On Tuesday, the Times-News asked Alamance County’s representatives in the General Assembly — state Reps. Alice Bordsen and Dan Ingle, and Sen. Tony Foriest — what they thought about adding the manufacturer requirement to state law.

Foriest said the issue is not among the items he is focusing on for the next legislative session but he isn’t against considering the idea. “I’m not opposed to doing whatever I can to save lives,” said Foriest, a Democrat who represents Alamance and Caswell counties. “If it can make a difference in the lives of our citizens, I wouldn’t mind being involved.”

“It sounds like that the state has it etched in law that (reflectors) will be there,” said Ingle, a Republican who represents District 64, which covers mostly rural areas of Alamance County.

Many trailers on local roads are homemade rigs and therefore wouldn’t be covered by a change in the law, Ingle said.

It would be more effective, Ingle added, to raise awareness about the current law’s requirements through farmer’s groups like the Farm Bureau.

Bordsen, a Democrat who represents District 63, a boot-shaped stretch that extends from the Alamance County’s northeastern corner through Burlington, said it appears at first glance that state law should be clearer in spelling out who is responsible for installing reflectors. “In principle, I have no opposition, but I would like to know more.”

Bordsen thinks it would be a good idea to bring together manufacturers, retailers, trailer users and other stakeholders to discuss the issue and weigh factors like cost, benefits and possible consequences of changing the law. One issue that could prove thorny, Bordsen said, is the question of how to deal with those who drive trailers from other states into North Carolina.

Melancon successfully pushed for a law in Virginia requiring two or more reflectors or more than eight feet of reflective tape on the rear of trailers. Requiring trailer manufacturers to install quality reflective tape would cost $8 to $10, he said. He is not a fan of plastic reflectors. “The little cheap reflectors snap off and break.”

In other states, manufacturers worried about cost and competition have been fighting his efforts, he said.

At least one major retailer based in North Carolina puts the tape on every trailer they sell.

Since May 2005, reflective tape has been standard equipment on all trailers sold by the Lowes, Inc. of Mooresville, said company spokeswoman Karen Cobb. The tape, Cobb said, conforms to all federal and state requirements.

Coroner calls for A1 tow bar check

2009-09-27T08:43:00.001-07:00

Note: What about the United States??

What about the United Kingdom?

We have the same problem here in our Country....

Why is New Zeland acting and we are not?

It is because of the powerful "Utility Trailer Industry" they have lobbied our Political leaders.

Coroner calls for A1 tow bar check

By LEIGHTON KEITH - Taranaki Daily News

Last updated 05:00 22/09/2009

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A coroner has urged all motorists with a particular brand of tow bar to have a safety check done.

A faulty tow bar, made by Auckland's A1 Bars 1994 Ltd, was found to be responsible for the death of former Taranaki cricket representative Donovan Allen Shelver in November 2005, at a coroner's inquest at the New Plymouth courthouse in August.

The 28-year-old was killed when a boat and trailer broke away from the towing vehicle and speared into his ute, on State Highway 3, near Inglewood.

A police Serious Crash Unit report concluded the direct cause of the crash could be attributed to the failure of the tow bar assembly located near the vehicle's chassis.

Coroner Tim Scott has recommended that anyone who owned or used a vehicle fitted with a tow bar made by the company have a safety compliance check carried out.

"Either at a warrant of fitness testing station or by a competent engineering specialist," Mr Scott said.

One report said the design and workmanship on the tow bar was appalling, while another stated its design strength was totally inadequate.

Mr Scott also recommended the New Zealand Transport Agency draw the public's attention to the concerns by placing safety concern notices in daily newspapers and other publications.

Police considered laying criminal charges against the director of A1 Bars 1994 Ltd, Roger Provan, but as it no longer existed no charges were laid.

Mr Provan is still making tow bars under the company name A1 Bars Ltd, which was first registered in April 2002.

At the August inquest Mr Scott also wanted the NZTA to set mandatory safety standards for light duty tow bars.

He directed the NZTA to report back on its progress within three months.

Dangerous Trailers... They're Out There!

2009-07-13T11:57:00.001-07:00

Dangerous Trailers... They're Out There!
Author: Captain Woody Gore | Posted: 07/05/2009

When it's time to hitch up the trailer and go… you hitch up and go. But do you really understand what you're doing when you're dragging all that weight around behind you? You should because you're betting your life and the lives of other on the road that you do. Regardless, whether you're hauling yard trash to the dump, your ATV's to hunting camp or heading to the boat ramp for a day on the water, improper towing can and often does result in a serious accident.

Trailers including those homemade contraptions being towed on Florida's streets, roads and highways are required to have 1.) A trailer hitch and safety chains/cables capable of handling the weight being towed. 2.) It must have lights, stop lights, and turn signals. 3.) And depending on its weight it will require brakes on one or more axles. Further information can be obtained by checking the Florida Statutes on Motor Vehicles, Chapter 316 State Uniform Traffic Control.

Data collected through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over a five year period indicates there is an average in excess of 68,000 accidents each year involving passenger vehicles towing trailers. The average fatalities from these accidents surpass 440 persons per year. The average numbers of injuries from these accidents exceed 24,000 per year, with an average property damage resulting in over 43,000 per year. The bottom line is… there is no excuse for these kinds of statistics.

Three alarming facts that should concern everyone were revealed in a recent study. First, it confirmed that a good number of drivers have little knowledge or understanding about what's going on behind their vehicle in a towing situation. Second, it revealed most drivers admitted they had no indication as to weight limits, braking, backing, passing, proper set up or how to actually handle a trailer in tow. And to top everything off many felt they didn't need to learn.

Florida Trailer Accidents: Here are a few trailer accidents that were reported in Florida newspapers.

1. Runaway trailer kills boy waiting for bus one boy was killed and two others badly injured Friday when a trailer broke loose from a pickup truck and slammed into a group of youngsters waiting for a school bus. The trailer broke from the truck into a group of about 12 middle school children. Lake Mary, Fl.
2. Trailer breaks loose, sends machine over rail in Port Richey, Fl.
3. Trailer breaks loose in traffic, seriously injuring Largo woman.
4. Loose trailer injures construction workers two highway flagmen.
5. One killed in collision as trailer unhitches. An unidentified man died.
6. Trailer smashes into restaurant.
7. Runaway trailer hits truck fuel truck driver.
8. Trailer strikes girl playing in front yard.

So, what can be about it? It's almost inevitable that during the course of a driver's life they will have an occasion to tow something. So, a good starting point would be to start an education program teaching drivers how to tow a trailer. Perhaps it should become part of the driver license examination and driving test. And while I don't advocate government intervention there are times when things should be standardized. Like nationally standardizing the towing laws requiring all states to adopt the same towing safety equipment, requirements and regulations. It hardly makes sense why we need 50 different laws regulating towing and the safe operation of a trailer. It puzzles me why a trailer in Florida would need brakes but the same trailer in another state would not? Couple this inconstancy with folks unawareness to do it properly and you've got the making of a serious accident with injury or death.

Everyone knows that half of the battle is education and the other half is enforcement. Law enforcement officers have or should have the required training concerning towing laws and requirements are for trailer safety. So why isn't a measure of attention paid to those towing trailers with unsafe hitches, no safety chains, lights, brakes, and faulty tires? We all understand that seatbelts are designed to save lives. And tickets are issued when they are not worn. If that's the case then stopping someone from towing an unsafe trailer should save lives. After all they are endangering themselves and everyone else on and off the road. Isn't prevention of accidents a part of traffic law enforcement?

Where do you go to learn how to safely pull a trailer? Fortunately, there's no shortage of towing information including guidebooks and online tutorials. Here are a few simple to follow suggestions.

Before you hitch up… check your vehicle and trailer owner's manuals for recommended towing capacities, and ensure that both your vehicle and trailer comply with equipment requirements like: hitch, safety chains, lights rear and side view mirrors, and brakes. After you hitch up… perform a walk-around inspection 1.) Is the hitch properly latched and locked: 2.) Are the safety chains properly attached: 3.) Do the lights, turn signals and brake light work: 4.) Are the tires properly inflated: 5.) Is the load properly distributed and tied down?

Driving with care… towing a loaded or unloaded trailer is different from everyday driving. You need to anticipate how the trailer will respond to your every move, especially when slowing down, turning, and stopping. Knowing how to operate trailer brake controls or react when a trailer veers out of control requires training and practice. Always drive at moderate speeds and maintain additional space between you and the vehicle ahead. Your brakes may be capable of stopping you and your load but will always require extra stopping distances. When passing or maneuvering around other vehicles remember to allow extra room. A wider turn radius is also necessary to avoid curbs and roadside obstacles.

If you must back the trailer it's important to remember this is completely different from backing your car or truck and requires practice and skill. Turn the steering wheel in small increments. A slight turn of the steering wheel causes a big turn at the end of the trailer.

Here's a little project for you. The next time you're out and about take notice of the countless numbers of trailers being hauled daily on our roadways. Look closely and you'll see that many are improperly attached to the tow vehicle, don't have working lights, safety chains and are unacceptably maintained. Then ask yourself, why am I riding behind or next to this person trying to kill or injury me or my family?

On a side note: Recently, after doing some investigation, I found a company in Texas named Safety Sentry Inc. (www.safetysentryinc.com) that manufactures a simple and completely secure trailer locking device. Not only does prevent the trailer from unhitching it adds a level of security from theft. I bring this up because over the last several years I known anglers that launched for a fun day of fishing only to return to the ramp and find their trailer stolen.

This article was written by Capt. Woody Gore owner of SportFishing Unlimited and Outdoor Communications. Capt Gore is a professional fishing and outdoor guide, photo-journalist and speaker. If you would like to contact him please visit his website at www.captainwoodygore.com or call his cell at 813-477-3814

Trailer Detachment - The “Hidden” Cause Of Multiple Fatalities and Catastrophic Injuries - An Experienced Philadelphia Product Liability Lawyer Speak

2009-04-28T02:38:00.000-07:00

Posted On: April 3, 2009 by Jeffrey M. Reiff

Trailer Detachment - The “Hidden” Cause Of Multiple Fatalities and Catastrophic Injuries - An Experienced Philadelphia Product Liability Lawyer Speaks Out

For many months, I have been blogging about the dangers of defective trailer hitches and the lack of safety posed to otherwise innocent and unsuspecting victims by many trailers being pulled by vehicles. According to NHTSA statistics, every week in the United States there are 418 injuries, 8 deaths and 775 incidents of property damage caused by vehicles towing trailers. One of the unsung heroes of the defective trailer crisis in an individual known as Ron Melancon who maintains a website at his own expense known as dangeroustrailers.org. Ron maintains a daily vigil on trailer accidents occurring throughout the United States and the world and has tirelessly worked on behalf of those injured by these vehicles to lobby the government and industry to mandate safer standards, guidelines and quality control.

Recently an incident occurred in Oregon where a trailer being pulled by an RV came loose while transiting thorough a tunnel causing another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction to crash head on into the trailer. It is important to recognize that the utility trailer industry has continued to stop any attempts to improve trailer safety. It is continuously important to recognize that trailers under the weight of 3,000 lbs. are unregulated in most states in this country. State codes in most of our states are silent as to any design or construction specification for those vehicles or for towing chains and hitches. The utility trailer industry maintains a strong lobby to stop any attempts to improve this class of vehicle in all 50 states by not requiring a federal standard on trailer hitches since 1972.

The defective trailer hitch attorneys at Reiff and Bily join Ron Melancon and other committed consumer safety advocates to bring a new national standard to implement, improve, reduce and eliminate deaths and catastrophic injuries due to defective trailer hitches and defective trailer manufacturer. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident resulting from a defective trailer or caused by a trailer being towed by another vehicle, please contact the defective trailer and defective trailer hitch attorneys at Reiff and Bily at 1-800-421-9595 or contact us online for a free no obligation consultation at www.reiffandbily.com.

The experienced lawyers at Reiff and Bily have been handling thousands of catastrophic injury cases and fatalities since 1979 and are committed to promoting safety on our roads and highways.

Posted by Jeffrey M. Reiff | Permalink | Email This Post

Finlay trailer campaign gets TV coverage

2009-03-09T22:23:00.000-07:00

Finlay trailer campaign gets TV coverage

Published Date: 11 February 2009

A BBC programme has documented a family's campaign following the death of a four-year-old boy in Heage.

Finlay Martin was killed by a runaway trailer that had become detached from a car when he was walking down Old Road with his mother Zoe in July 2007.

The trailer was defective and contravened road vehicle regulations.

The BBC East Midlands Inside Out programme, aired on February 4, highlighted the campaign started by Heage councillor Juliette Blake and revealed the Government is aiming to include checks on towbars as part of the MoT for cars and vans, as a direct result of what happened to Finlay.

If the law gets changed in England, it will be called 'Finlay's Law'. But campaigners want the law to be changed even further so trailers have to undergo MoTs to ensure they are safe to be on the roads.

Since the incident, Cllr Blake, along with Finlay's parents Wayne and Zoe, have been campaigning for a change in the law.

Cllr Blake said: "This is a move in the right direction but I won't be satisfied until I get what I want, to take the millions of unroadworthy trailers off the street."

An inquest into Finlay's death revealed a number of faults with the trailer, including ineffective brakes. When the trailer was examined it was found to have no breakaway cable, a legal requirement which enables the trailer to brake if it comes away from the vehicle.

It was also found that, had it been fitted with such a device, it would have had no effect because the brakes were faulty.

Featured !! Hazards on America’s highways

2009-02-18T21:35:00.000-08:00

While repairs allowed ODOT to reopen the closed lane to traffic much earlier than anticipated, speed and weight restrictions still apply as repairs continue. Published January 08, 2009 09:31 am - Last week a trailer broke loose from the pickup that was pulling it and crashed into a bridge on SH 66 just inside Catoosa city limits.

Hazards on America’s highways
Unregulated trailers could be the cause of traffic fatalities

By Joy Hampton
CLAREMORE DAILY PROGRESS

January 8, 2009 —

Last week a trailer broke loose from the pickup that was pulling it and crashed into a bridge on SH 66 just inside Catoosa city limits. Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials reported a support beam on the steel truss bridge had been severed and closed one lane while repairs were made.

If a loose trailer can sever a steel support beam, what damage could it do to another vehicle? To a human body?

Motorist turned activist, Ron Melancon, has been trying to raise awareness nationwide to the problem of unregulated trailers on America’s highways. Melancon was returning home from a visit to his local library with his son May 17, 2003 when he hit the back of a trailer.

The license plate by the stop lamp on the trailer disguised the fact that the trailer bed actually extended two feet beyond that point, causing Melancon to misjudge the distance.

After the accident, Melancon become obsessed with solving the problem. His actions eventually led to legislation requiring reflective tape on the ends of trailers for greater safety.

Melancon did not stop there, however. His studies into problems with unregulated trailers which often improperly hitched or pulled by inexperienced haulers have revealed what he believes is a serious problem on America’s roadways. His web site dangeroustrailers.org is dedicated to saving lives through promoting awareness and fighting for legislation to protect drivers from the hazards of these trailers.

Most states do not regulate trailers under 3,000 pounds, said Melancon.

Documenting the extent of the problem has been challenging because trailers as the cause of a crash are not tracked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a division operating under the US Department of Transportation.

What is known is that in 2004, an estimated 65,000 crashes involving a passenger vehicle with a “trailing unit” occurred according to NHTSA data. Those crashes resulted in 422 fatalities and an “estimated 27,000 persons injured.”

In 2006, there were 363 fatal crashes in which a total of 419 persons were killed. An estimated 12,000 total crashes involving trailers occurred with approximately 20,000 persons injured.

According to Oklahoma Highway Safety data analyst Kathy Evans, 2007 data will be more inclusive in many categories, but numbers of trailers causing accidents is not tracked.

Hazards on America’s highways Unregulated trailers could be the cause of traffic fatalities

2009-01-22T02:51:00.000-08:00

Published January 08, 2009 11:16 am - Last week a trailer broke loose from the pickup that was pulling it and crashed into a bridge on SH 66 just inside Catoosa city limits.

Hazards on America’s highways
Unregulated trailers could be the cause of traffic fatalities

By Joy Hampton
CLAREMORE DAILY PROGRESS

January 8, 2009 —

While repairs allowed ODOT to reopen the closed lane to traffic much earlier than anticipated, speed and weight restrictions still apply as repairs continue.

If a loose trailer can sever a steel support beam, what damage could it do to another vehicle? To a human body?

The license plate by the stop lamp on the trailer disguised the fact that the trailer bed actually extended two feet beyond that point, causing Melancon to misjudge the distance.

After the accident, Melancon become obsessed with solving the problem. His actions eventually led to legislation requiring reflective tape on the ends of trailers for greater safety.

Most states do not regulate trailers under 3,000 pounds, said Melancon.

In 2006, there were 363 fatal crashes in which a total of 419 persons were killed. An estimated 12,000 total crashes involving trailers occurred with approximately 20,000 persons injured.

According to Oklahoma Highway Safety data analyst Kathy Evans, 2007 data will be more inclusive in many categories, but numbers of trailers causing accidents is not tracked.

100% of utility trailers defective. 50% of animal trailers defective.

2008-08-09T03:56:00.000-07:00

Please check out the email below from M. P..

The survey done on 19^th July is particularly relevant because it was exactly a year to the day little Finlay Martin was killed. Every single trailer stopped that day was defective.

The figures speak for themselves.

100% of utility trailers defective.

50% of animal trailers defective.

The Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership Matt to whom has sent the figures will be a perfect group to publicise the campaign for us.

We are a huge step closer now. We have the evidence to throw at the government. Matt is going to commission some more surveys too. He has promised me at least 3 more operations to gather more data. He is also going to take the results to the Greater Midlands Senior Traffic Officer Conference.

Matt mentioned that all the people found with defective trailers seemed to be decent nice people who were given advice about their trailers and were happy to accept they must take action – in fact grateful that the defects had been pointed out to them. Nobody argued or said the classic “why don’t you go and catch some real criminals?” which is something the police usually come across when doing a campaign like this. They all said they simply take out their trailer and load it up without a second thought having left it out in their garden for months on end without maintenance. One man said he maintained his caravan but never even thought about servicing his trailer.

Simon – When you do the Inside Out documentary Matt is happy for you to get in touch with him and maybe to arrange for the television cameras to film one of the future operations at a refuse tip or horse sale or horse show.

When the Ripley and Heanor and Belper News did a recent on line poll on their websites there were around 1500 votes cast with over 95% (Belper News) and 96% (Ripley and Heanor) of respondents in favour of the government bringing in MOT’s for trailers so public opinion is in our favour.

As soon as I have the official response to the Downing Street Petition which expires on 13^th August I will forward it to you all for information. However, their response so far has been one of denial claiming that accidents are due to improper loading rather than unroadworthy trailers. We now know the Secretary of State is relying upon fatally flawed data. Finlay’s accident was recorded as improper loading yet the trailer was totally empty!!! I have evidence that towed vehicles coming away from towing vehicles is common but unless people die or are seriously injured when this happens they will simply not be recorded anywhere and indeed we know from Finlay’s accident that even when a little four year old was killed by a runaway trailer the data did not reach the Secretary of State hence he is relying upon inaccurate information.

Very Best Wishes

Juliette

Councillor Juliette Blake

Member for Heage and Ambergate Ward and Cabinet Support Member for Cleaner, Greener and Safer

Amber Valley Borough Council

Leader of Ripley Town Council

The Old Forge

77 Brook Street

Heage

Belper

Derbyshire

DE56 2AG

01773 853739

Mobile 07502 163812

Juliette,

As discussed we did two operations, sorry for the different format of results. Different teams for each day.:

12th July.
8 trailers checked, 4 in order.
Of the remaining 4:
1. Home made trailer, corrosion and suspension bushes
2. Breakaway cable missing
3. Home made trailer, breakaway cable missing, worn towing hitch
4. Home made trailer, breakaway cable missing, defective brakes

19th July, Loscoe Tip
9 trailers checked:

Brake/

Unbraked Items Noted Approx Age of Trailer Comments
UNBRAKED No secondary coupling, N/S tyre defective tread depth, Load area (wooden) rotted in places, Offside indicator lens missing Twenty Years plus
BRAKED Coupling worn, Owner had left the park brake applied when leaving the site. Twenty Years plus Owner states always has his caravan serviced!
UNBRAKED No secondary coupling Twenty Years plus
UNBRAKED No secondary coupling Twenty Years plus
UNBRAKED No secondary coupling, o/s indicator lens missing, N/S tyre defective tread depth, O/S hub bearing grease cap missing, body loose but detachment not imminent Twenty Years plus
UNBRAKED Secondary coupling Fitted N/K No number plate
UNBRAKED No secondary coupling Twenty Years plus
UNBRAKED No secondary coupling, Wear in coupling device, mudguards missing. Twenty Years plus
UNBRAKED No secondary coupling N/K

Hope this helps, any questions then give me a ring. I'll be in touch when we have some more results.

I have raised this problem and given our results to the Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership (of which we are members) for them to consider. If this means nothing to you give me a ring and I'll explain it.

If they are willing to work on this they can help with publicity, education and encouragement, whilst we do the enforcement bit

T.C/Inspector, Head of Roads Policing
Derbyshire Constabulary

Backing for trailer campaign

2008-08-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

7th August 2008

Backing for trailer campaign

There is just a week left to sign a petition started after the death of a four-year-old boy in Heage.

Finlay Martin was killed when a trailer being towed by a car came off in Old Road.

He had been walking with his mum, Zoe, to pick his sister, Millie, up from the village primary school when the accident happened.

The trailer was later found to have defective breaks and no breakaway cable fitted – a device that should have stopped it from moving once it broke away.

After the incident Juliette Blake, borough councillor for Heage and Ambergate, started an online petition to the Prime Minister to make sure all trailers undergo MoTs and are fitted with the cables.

It currently has 1,284 names and a poll on the Belper News website asking whether MoTs should be introduced for trailers saw 96 per cent of readers vote for yes.

Cllr Blake said: "I am over the moon that the votes cast in the Belper News indicate an overwhelming support for the trailer safety MoT campaign.

"I intend to report the results to the government to strengthen our case for this much-needed common sense legislation."

To sign the petition click here.

Runaway trailer tragedy petition

2008-02-24T21:52:00.001-08:00

Published Date: 10 January 2008
Source: DT Mid Edition
Location: Chesterfield

Runaway trailer tragedy petition

By Staff Copy

Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for a change in the law following the death of a little boy who was hit by a runaway trailer.

The parents of four-year-old Finlay Martin of Old Road, Heage, who died in July last year, are among about 300 people who have put their names to the on-line petition.

The petition calls on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to introduce an annual compulsory MoT for all trailers, including caravans and horse boxes, and to make it compulsory for trailers to be fitted with a cable which could activate an emergency braking system if a trailer breaks free.

Absolute hell

The campaign has been launched by mother-of-three Juliette Blake, a member of Amber Valley Borough Council and leader of Ripley Town Council, who says she has found numerous examples of deaths and injuries being caused by breakaway trailers.

She said: “Never a day goes by without me thinking of that poor family. They must be going through absolute hell and they’ll never get over it.

“I feel I have got to do something positive to help them. It’s an uphill battle but it would be fantastic if we could get the law changed.

“It is just so sad that a tragedy like this has to happen to bring it to people’s attention.”

At an inquest into Finlay’s death at Derby, on Thursday, deputy coroner Louise Pinder said that she intended to write to the Department of Transport passing on the family’s concerns in the hope that lessons could be learned from the tragic accident.

She recorded a narrative verdict – a factual account of Finlay’s death.

The full article contains 287 words and appears in DT Mid Edition newspaper.

Last Updated: 09 January 2008 9:46 AM

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MP Judy calls for trailer tests

2008-02-24T21:48:00.001-08:00

MP Judy calls for trailer tests

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Published Date: 01 February 2008
Source: Alfreton Chad
Location: Mansfield

By Helen Lambourne

AMBER Valley MP Judy Mallaber has secured a pledge from a Government Minister to consider new regulations on trailers after the tragic death of a young boy.

Four-year-old Finlay Martin, from Heage in Derbyshire, was killed in July last year by a runaway trailer which had broken free from a car and a coroner ruled it was defective.

In the House of Commons last week, Ms Mallaber called on Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick to investigate bringing in an annual mandatory test for trailers – as requested by Finlay's family and local residents.

Mr Fitzpatrick said there had been several similar accidents in recent months and he vowed to consider the matter with officials in the Department for Transport.

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The full article contains 135 words and appears in Alfreton Chad newspaper.

Last Updated: 31 January 2008 10:26 AM

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The government has got blood on its hands "

2008-02-20T12:19:00.000-08:00

Sentences criticised after toddler death

"The government has got blood on its hands "

Cllr Juliette Blake

Sentences handed to two men involved in an accident which resulted in the death of toddler after a trailer broke loose while being towed by a car have been criticised for being 'too lenient'.

Two men have been fined and had points put on their driving licence after the death of four-year-old Finlay Martin in Heage.

Finlay died when he was struck by a trailer that had come loose from a car on Old Road in Heage in June.

His mother, Zoe, was also hit by the trailer and spent weeks in hospital.

The Crown Prosecution Service reviewed the case in light of a coroner's verdict at an inquest into the youngster's death last month when it was revealed the trailer's brakes had been defective and no breakaway cable was fitted.

The driver of the car towing the trailer, David Robins, of Belper, pleaded guilty on February 13 at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court to using a motor vehicle when the secondary coupling device on the trailer was not fitted and to using a motor vehicle namely the trailer, with defective brakes.

He was fined £500 and given three penalty points on his licence. He was also ordered to pay £45 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Owner of the trailer Michael Buckley was also given a £500 fine, three points on his licence and the additional fees after pleading guilty to permitting the use of such a vehicle.

After the case Amber Valley borough councillor Juliette Blake, who represents Heage and is leading a campaign to tighten regulations on the use of trailers, said the sentences were lenient considering a child had died.

Cllr Blake said: "It's nothing considering a child has died. I was nearly in tears when I heard. If it was my child I would be gutted at these sentences. The family's lives have been wrecked by this.

"Since Finlay was killed there have been numerous other accidents involving trailers.

"The government has got blood on its hands as far as I'm concerned until it brings in legislation to stop this. Are they waiting for a larger accident where 60 people are killed?

"They won't bring in legislation without public pressure but while it's just one death here and there, there doesn't seem to be a concerted effort to bring public attention to it.

"There is a serious problem in this country with trailers, I see some horrific ones driving around and there are very few laws governing their use.

"We have an annual MOT test for cars, so you know that every car has been seen and checked in the last 12 months. There's nothing like that for trailers and there should be, they should be checked for road worthiness every year."

The full article contains 467 words and appears in n/a newspaper.

Last Updated: 20 February 2008 2:29 PM

Driver crippled in freak accident

2008-02-18T12:19:00.000-08:00

Driver crippled in freak accident

A LORRY driver crippled when a freak runaway trailer collided head-on with his cab near Howden told a jury of the moment he thought he was going to die.

Father-of-three Clive Wade (44), said he could see he was on a collision course when a trailer owned by Hutton Cranswick licensee Clive Tomlinson appeared in front of his milk wagon.

Mr Wade of Holme-upon-Spalding Moor had to be airlifted from the horrific smash on the A614 on Thorpe Road, near Hygena. He suffered serious injuries including several broken bones to his legs. He needed surgery at Hull Royal Infirmary after the smash and now is unable to work and walks only with crutches.

He had been returning from Bristol to the village with an empty wagon after delivering condensed milk when the crash happened. His cab was hit by a breakaway trailer loaded with a mobile bar and marquee.

Giving evidence in a written statement at the start of a trial at Hull Crown Court Mr Wade said: "I could see I was on a collision course. The trailer was hurtling out of control towards me. I took hold of the steering wheel as hard as a could as the only place to go was to the left. I didn't try and turn too fast as the vehicle could have jack-knifed. I thought I was going to be killed. I heard a loud crunch."

Mr Wade, formerly of Wilson Close, Market Weighton, sat in court with his family as the statement was read. The court heard he still had two 13-year-old twins to support and had worked for the same dairy firm in for 21 years.

The driver of the Iveco van, Simon Saxby (46), pleaded guilty to driving a van dangerously on September 21, 2006.

Mr Saxby of Past Heap Farm, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells, told the jury he had had begun work for Mr Tomlinson in May, 2006 in the bar tent business and had no experience of towing a trailer or instruction "whatsoever".

He had been due to set up a bar and tent in a marquee in Derbyshire on the day as part of a nationwide mobile bar business. The court heard the firm had seven vans and four trailers and the drivers never knew which combination they would be taking out. He said he had been staying at the White Horse Inn at Hutton Cranswick at the time and the trailer had been loaded up for him before he set off. He said: "I didn't do my job correctly that day. I didn't do what I should have done. I am very very sorry about what happened. I had no training. I didn't know there wasn't a breakaway cable."

Crown barrister David Hall told the jury Mr Wade had done everything possible to avoid the collision and was in no way to blame. Mr Hall told the jury the accident happened when nuts and bolts sheared on the back of a tow bar, which broke away from a blue Iveco van towing a trailer. He said police had found there was wear and tear on the tow bar and lack of a breakaway cable. He said other issues to consider were a seized load sensor valve, defective hand-brake, overloading and a problem offside brake caliper. He said the tow-bar defects should have been spotted by Mr Saxby before he set off if he had been a careful and competent driver.

Clive Tomlinson (47) had denied any wrong doing. A jury was instructed to find him not guilty of the charge of aiding and abetting a van and trailer to be driven dangerously on the third day of a scheduled four-day trial. He was not in the van and denied knowing it was a danger.

Mr Saxby is due to be sentenced in around four weeks time and was allowed to walk free from court on bail.

Published on 14th February 2008 in News.

Runaway trailer tragedy petition

2008-02-09T04:40:00.001-08:00

Runaway trailer tragedy petition

By Staff Copy

Hundreds of people have signed a petition calling for a change in the law following the death of a little boy who was hit by a runaway trailer.

The full article contains 287 words and appears in DT Mid Edition newspaper.

Last Updated: 09 January 2008 9:46 AM

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Woman, 85, 'killed by dangerous trailer'

2008-02-08T08:48:00.001-08:00

Woman, 85, 'killed by dangerous trailer'

Feb 5 2008 icWales

An elderly woman died when a trailer came loose and hit the car she was in, a court heard today.

Timothy Rose, 49, was towing the trailer on his Land Rover down a hill when it became detached and swung into the road, where it collided with a Vauxhall Corsa travelling uphill.

Elizabeth Roberts, 85, was the nearside passenger in the car driven by her son-in-law Paul Llewellyn, Cardiff Crown Court heard.

Hywel Hughes, prosecuting, said: “Glass was flying everywhere, there were scenes of chaos and confusion after the impact. It became clear Mrs Roberts was injured very seriously.

“She died at the scene despite valiant efforts by paramedics and a doctor.”

Mr Hughes said the trailer was in a bad condition – on three of its four wheels the brakes were defective. He said the ball fitting on the Land Rover and socket fitting on the trailer were different sizes.

Rose, of Elizabeth Avenue, Barry, pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at a previous hearing, also at Cardiff Crown Court.

In a statement read out in court, he said: “The trailer started to fishtail. As I looked back in horror, I saw the trailer, instead of being behind me it was beside me but there was nothing I could do.”

The court heard Rose had a routine check ’“once in a while” and did the maintenance himself.

Hayley Griffiths was driving behind Rose at the time of the incident on Pentyrch Hill in Cardiff on March 9 last year.

She said: “At the top of the hill I noticed the trailer started to bounce from side to side.

“I wanted to get away from the trailer so I tried to slow down.”

She said she did not see any brake lights come on on the trailer.

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Trailer crash victim describes impact

2008-02-08T08:47:00.000-08:00

Trailer crash victim describes impact

Feb 6 2008 icWales

A driver today described the aftermath of a crash in which a trailer came loose and smashed into his car, killing his elderly mother-in-law.

Paul Llewellyn was driving Elizabeth Roberts to his home in Peterstone, south Wales, when a trailer became detached from the Land Rover of Timothy Rose, and was in collision with their Vauxhall Corsa.

Mrs Roberts, 84, died at the scene.

Rose, 49, of Elizabeth Avenue, Barry, south Wales, denies causing death by dangerous driving.

Hywel Hughes, prosecuting, told Cardiff Crown Court that Mr Llewellyn picked up his mother-in-law at 4pm on March 9 last year and they went to collect his wife at 4.30pm.

Describing the aftermath of the incident, Mr Llewellyn said: “I was pretty stunned. I looked at Bet (Elizabeth Roberts) next to me. She was sat upright and I thought she was okay.

“I turned around and my wife seemed unconscious. I started shouting to her and she sat up and said ’what’s happened?’

“Then, after the second impact my wife was sat up but when I looked at Bet she was slumped down. Then they dragged me out of the side window.”

Peter Davies, defending, read a statement by Mr Llewellyn from April 11, 2007.

In it, Mr Llewellyn said: “I saw the trailer coming down the hill. It wobbled but I didn’t worry too much about it or brake.

“When we collided it felt like we went up in the air. The impact was so bad I thought my brain had come out of my head.”

The court heard from Police Constable Simon Rogers, the accident investigator at the scene, who concluded that the safety chain on the trailer had snapped.

Judge Patrick Curran QC adjourned the trial until tomorrow.

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Clacton: Woman hurt in runaway trailer crash

2008-02-06T05:18:00.001-08:00

Clacton: Woman hurt in runaway trailer crash
By James Dwan

A woman was taken to hospital after a runaway trailer was in a collision with a car on a busy road.

The passenger in the four-wheel-drive Suzuki Wagon suffered injuries to her neck and back, as well as breathing problems, after it was in a collision with the trailer of an Iveco van in Clacton.

Police, ambulance crews and firefighters were called to the accident in London Road.
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The street was closed for more than 45 minutes amid fears that cylinders in the van, being used by road resurfacers, could explode.

A spokesman for Clacton fire station said the woman passenger, in her mid-50s, suffered slight injuries to her chest from the seatbelt.

The spokesman believed the trailer had become unhooked from the van and veered into the path of the oncoming vehicle.

Anyone with information about the incident, at 11.40am yesterday, should call PC Darren Lee at Stanway road policing unit on 01206 762512.

Passer-by killed by trailer’s swinging side panel in Wrexham

2008-02-06T05:17:00.001-08:00

Passer-by killed by trailer’s swinging side panel in Wrexham

Oct 16 2007 by Steve Bagnall, Daily Post

A MOTORIST whose trailer hit and fatally injured a pedestrian yesterday went on trial for causing death by dangerous driving.

Mold Crown Court heard how a man was struck by the side panel of the trailer which swung open as it was being towed on Wrexham industrial estate.

Victim Damon Harry Palmer was thrown up into the air by the impact.

Mr Palmer, 57, from Stoke-on-Trent, a team leader with an insulation company, had driven to the industrial estate for a training day.

He had just arrived but as he parked his car in Abbey Road and got out, he was struck by the side panel of the twin axle Ivor Williams trailer being towed by a Chrysler Voyager driven by OIiver.

The accident left him with “serious and unsurvivable head injuries” in a pool of blood and he died a short time later in hospital.

Driver Rupert Oliver, 66, an inventor and former Wrexham businessman, now of The Residence at Kenchester near Hereford, denies causing death by dangerous driving.

Prosecuting barrister Simon Medland told a jury at Mold Crown Court that the side mesh panel of the trailer opened up like a substantial door.

The defendant was oblivious to the opening and closing of the panel on the trailer behind him, pulled out to overtake, and the panel came into contact with Mr Palmer’s head “causing appalling injuries.”

He was spun into the air, dropped to the road unconscious, and died half an hour later in hospital despite efforts to save him.

Mr Medland told the jury that there was no criticism of the defendant’s actual driving, but he was driving a dangerous vehicle – a trailer which had a substantial panel flapping about.

It was the prosecution case that the trailer should have been properly checked before the journey began a short time earlier, or at least he should have seen the side-panel flapping about before the fatal collision occurred.

As well as hitting Mr Palmer, the side panel rode up his blue Rover car, shunting it forward, and causing a passenger in the car to suffer a head injury.

Oliver claimed that he checked the trailer about two hours before he drove from his former company, SPI, on the Spectrum Industrial Estate.

An inventor who has spent a lifetime designing children’s play equipment, had been removing his experimental children’s play kit from a yard in Denbigh which was being closed down.

The previous night he took a load from Denbigh to SPI to store the items there. He left the vehicle and trailer overnight.

The following morning he had driven just half a mile intending to return to Denbigh when the accident occurred.

In a police interview, he said it was the most horrible thing that had ever happened to him, and he felt awful.

He said that he had driven for 50 years, was experienced in towing trailers, and always checked everything.

Forensic vehicle examiner Gary Roberts said in his view the two spring pins on the front edge of the side panel were not in place.

Defending barrister Stuart Driver said it was accepted that the bottom pin was not in place but suggested that the top one was, but that it was not properly secured by the spring.

The trial before Judge John Rogers QC is proceeding.

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Woman, 85, 'killed by dangerous trailer

2008-02-06T05:16:00.001-08:00