You are towing a broken-down car along the N50. You notice the cable sags now and then and afterwards pulls taut again with a jerk. What is sensible?
- ✓ Have the driver behind brake a little more, so the cable stays taut
- Lengthen the cable to well over 5 m, so the cars have more slack
- Just keep driving: a cable that sags now and then is part of towing
Correct answer: Have the driver behind brake a little more, so the cable stays taut
Explanation
False — you think more distance is safer. When towing there is at most 5 metres between the vehicles and the cable stays taut; more slack is exactly the problem
Why learners get this wrong
- Wrong: you think more distance is safer. When towing there is at most 5 metres between the vehicles and the cable stays taut; more slack is exactly the problem
- Wrong: you see a sagging cable as normal. The tow cable must stay taut at all times; this works because the driver of the towed vehicle brakes a little more than the one in front
Topic: Towing a broken-down car
Read the rule: Core: Towing a broken-down car