Is there a special speed limit when pulling a trailer???
Someone asked this recently and I thought it was a good question. Although pulling a trailer too fast could amount to “Operating a m/v in a manner not reasonable and proper” especially in an accident there is no special limit for trailers in Oklahoma. Some companies like U-Haul have a suggested speed limit marked on their rental equipment but it is not anything a law enforcement officer can act on.
Anytime you are pulling a trailer, especially if heavily loaded you should NOT exceed the speed limit but many do. Even with excellent trailer brakes it is much harder to stop and keep both vehicle and trailer under control with a heavy loaded trailer behind you.
While on this subject, I must say I think I received more feedback about the trailer lights and brakes issue than any other topic since I came to Cimarron County. Most of it was good and many people both expect enforcement of this law and wonder why it is not more aggressively enforced. My hope is that by getting the word out like this will encourage compliance so that expensive citations will not be necessary. I think this is a reasonable way to handle this. I realize the brake issue on water tank trailers will be a tough one but in the meantime SLOW DOWN if pulling one.
I come from an area even more rural and remote than this one so I realize it is hard to get folks to fix something that has been let go for so long. From my perspective I’ll just say this: Enforcement will start in 2009. Please fix your trailers with lights and safety chains before then. I think they call this fair warning……….
Trooper Duane Johnson #280
Oklahoma Highway Patrol
