Towropes

[fido]

I've heard that towing with a towrope is now illegal. Is this correct?

 

[david and julie]

Do you mean illegal or inadvisable? there is a big difference.

 

[fido]

They still sell ropes for use in vehicle breakdowns:
http://www1.uk.conrad.com/scripts/w...]=/&cookie_e[1]=Thu,+23-Jun-2005+07:23:54+GMT

But I've been told there has been a change in the law and you can now only tow using a solid bar.

 

[chambsesf]

I thought it was illegal to use a rope on a motorway, and a solid bar must be used; but a rope can be used on other roads? Maybe the rules have changed.

The Highway code is unclear on this subject.

http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/index.htm

 

[david and julie]

According to this it's still legal as long as it hasn't changed since last July.

Regulation : 86
Act : Road Vehicles (Construction And Use) Regulations 1986
Subject : Motor Vehicle Drawing A Trailer By Rope Or Chain

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.

http://www.police-law.co.uk/law/policelaw.nsf/0/12c8b041478125b880256baa005ad911?OpenDocument