tow rope - illegal

[Viper]

freind at work got stopped by the police on a B road for towing using a rope, Police man told him it was now illegal to use a rope but left him off with just a warning, when did this law come in ?

[pdV6]

Sounds like b'lox to me.

[^Slider^]

Only thing i can think of is the length of the rope being used.

The distance between the vehicle being towed and the vehicle towing must not exceed 4.5m. If it exceeds 1.5m the rope or chain must be clearly visible.

Gareth

>> Edited by ^Slider^ on Tuesday 31st May 17:07

[agent006]

Was it a towrope or just a bit of rope that happened to be used for towing?

[GreenV8S]

Tow rope is only legal for moving to a place of safety, so it's hard to justify if you're *already* somewhere safe.

[filmidget]

Ah, but safe from what?

Seriously though... where would this be stated?

If it has changed, and it's not changed in the highway code, just how are you meant to know?

Are the specs for an acceptable tow rope laid down anywhere?

[TripleS]

filmidget said:

Ah, but safe from what? Seriously though... where would this be stated? If it has changed, and it's not changed in the highway code, just how are you meant to know? Are the specs for an acceptable tow rope laid down anywhere?

There might be a British Standard.

Best wishes all,
Dave.

[MR2Mike]

I have been told you are now supposed to use a tow pole rather than rope, but not so long ago I had to rescue my old man when his MGB broke down. When I found him, the coppers had already found him first as it was on a fairly busy single carriageway with minimal room to pull off the road. We rigged up a nylon tow rope under the watchfull eye of the plod and they never uttered a word.

[Dwight VanDriver]

I have seen no amendment to Con and Use which lays down law on tow rope and chains for towing.

Neither does it seem to have come to the attention of sites covering towing:

www.traffic-answers.com/motorway.htm#tow
Avon and Somerset Plod site does not prohibit.

Seems an urban myth is gathering pace as same discussed elsewhere.

DVD

[off_again]

DVD,

Just a quick question - I thought that you needed a fixed pole or axle lift for towing on a motorway. Is this correct, or can you use a rope?

[cooperman]

AFAIK, you can tow a broken down vehicle off the m'way using a tow rope, but you can't tow onto a m'way when towing with a rope.

[towman]

If they are not illegal, then they should be. Bloody dangerous, especially when coupled with both vehicles using hazard lights.

[sadako]

Towman, had no problems using hand signals while my hazards were going last time i was towed. (Portsmouth - Arundel, sprung towing bar, going for a new engine)

[Dwight VanDriver]

off_again said:

DVD, Just a quick question - I thought that you needed a fixed pole or axle lift for towing on a motorway. Is this correct, or can you use a rope?

Whilst I can see a road safety aspect in having a tow bar again I know nothing that prohibits the use of rope and chain. The reference I give above tends to support this.

As a trailer then restricted from offside lane on a three or more lane mway and speed also restricted.

Have an enquiry outstanding with a Hall or Knowledge on this and will advise result.

DVD

[towman]

sadako said:

Towman, had no problems using hand signals while my hazards were going last time i was towed. (Portsmouth - Arundel, sprung towing bar, going for a new engine)

And what particular hand signal did you use to warn traffic approaching from the rear that you were in fact moving, and not as your 4 ways indicated, a stationary hazard on the highway.

I wonder how many vehicles moved into lane 2 before they realised you were moving?

I do hope you were trolling !

Steve

[Dwight VanDriver]

As promised.

My source informs me that there has been no change so far but has also picked up a number of similar questions so there may be something in the offing.

DVD

[Vipers]

I do recall there used to be a very slow limit to towing with a rope for obvious reasons, whereas a fixed tow could be towed mutch quicker.

Be interesting to find a difinitive answer to this thread on tow ropes

[gafferjim]

Working on the motorway in Lancs, the police up here will allow you to tow with a rope to the next exit where you must leave the M/way. They'll actually escort you to make sure you do.

[towman]

gafferjim said:

Working on the motorway in Lancs, the police up here will allow you to tow with a rope to the next exit where you must leave the M/way. They'll actually escort you to make sure you do.

Makes sense - get off the hard shoulder asap.

[nonegreen]

gafferjim said:

Working on the motorway in Lancs, the police up here will allow you to tow with a rope to the next exit where you must leave the M/way. They'll actually escort you to make sure you do.

Yeah that makes lots of sense to get the towed vehicle off the continuous moving motorway and onto the ordinary highway where frequent stops are needed and far more hazards and potential victims are present. Well done Lancashire police Since when did the police make the law? I towed a car 200 miles on a rope once. Time to blow up the house of commons and all its contents.