The DGT reminds you to avoid loose objects in the passenger compartment as they can be dangerous for the occupants when braking
Placing shopping bags on the passenger seat or in the back may be the fastest, but not the best option and is grounds for a traffic cop fine. The reason is simple: it can pose a serious hazard to the vehicle’s occupants when braking abruptly.
The
DGT explains it with the call
“elephant effect”: “The force with which a loose object in the vehicle would hit an occupant would be multiplied by up to 40 times its weight when the car was traveling at 50 km/h,” he explains.
Likewise, the highway code indicates that all
freight transported in a vehicle must not “drag, fall wholly or partly or move in a dangerous manner”. In addition, Traffic specifies that the load “must not endanger the stability of the vehicle” and that in the event of a violation of any of these regulations, it could lead to a
€200 fine
The
DGT recommends: make good use of the trunk to store bags and luggage.
Also remember that “heavy loads affect the vehicle’s behavior and overloading compromises safety”
In the same way, it indicates other options for carrying bulky or heavy luggage: light trailer or other loading devices such as:
boxes, trailers, bicycle racks or ski racks
These are the advice of the DGT:
– Suitcases, bags, backpacks…
all luggage must be in the trunkeven light objects.
– A
good organization: Put the heaviest items first, the largest and stiffest suitcases at the bottom and the rest of the luggage on top. Secure the load to the trunk attachment points with straps or nets. And fasten the seat belts in the back seat (even if there’s no one in them), because in the event of an accident, they’ll help keep luggage from entering the cabin.
– Don’t post
loose objects on the rear parcel shelf, they can be very dangerous under sudden braking. And they also hinder your visibility.
– A
roof rack or chest installed on the roof are the solution when the trunk is insufficient. When using them, secure the load and make sure it is secure. Keep in mind that the dynamic behavior of the car varies when loaded: it is more unstable, loses power and needs more room to brake.
Bicycles: There are different types of devices for transporting bicycles in a car: roof, tow bar, on the tailgate and trailer. Choose the most suitable for your vehicle. If the bikes protrude from behind, you must signal this correctly.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
