The Mississippi Department of Transportation said Trailer Safety Week begins today and warned that not all trailers are verified as meeting the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), the agency said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cautioned buyers that trailers must meet federal safety regulations, the department noted. The Mississippi agency said those requirements include lighting, trailer capacities and brakes.
The National Association of Trailer Manufacturers (NATM) has established a Compliance Verification Program, NATM said. The group compiles FMVSS requirements and industry best practices and verifies compliance at member facilities on a biennial basis, NATM said.
NATM said manufacturers that complete the Compliance Verification Program affix a compliance decal to trailer frames. The Mississippi Department of Transportation urged consumers to look for that decal when purchasing a new trailer.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
