LET THERE BE
LIGHT
(PLEASE)
WORDS: MAX TAYLOR
CARAVANS AREN’T REQUIRED TO BE FITTED WITH
REVERSING LIGHTS. IT MAKES NO SENSE.
Why don’t all caravans have reversing lights?
Caravans are large, visually obstructive objects.
Therefore, anything that gives the driver an
advantage when reversing, especially at night,
should be welcome.
I, for one, have difficulty understanding why
the relevant standard, as defined by the Vehicle
Standards Bulletin 1, 13.13 Reversing Lamps,
stipulates that reversing lights are optional
equipment.
50 \
Think about it. The law says the tow vehicle must
be fitted with reversing lights. But the big, heavy
object behind it? Nope. This makes no sense. Logic
suggests, in fact demands, that the reversing
lights on the tow vehicle will be minimally visible
with a caravan hooked up. Their ability to light the
way for the person in the driver’s seat is hugely
compromised, if not downright irrelevant.
But my caravan has a reversing camera, you might
say. In my view, the installation of a reversing
camera does not mitigate the logical need for
reversing lights on caravans.