What is a crucial safety check before towing a vehicle?

Before towing a vehicle, inspecting the trailer and tow vehicle for operational lights and brakes is essential for ensuring safety. Properly functioning lights are crucial for visibility and communication with other drivers on the road, especially for indicating turns, stopping, and changing lanes. Additionally, checking the brakes on both the tow vehicle and the trailer is vital, as effective braking can prevent accidents during towing. If the brakes are not functioning correctly, it can lead to a loss of control, increased stopping distances, and a greater risk of collisions.

While inspecting tire pressure and mirrors, performing a test drive without the load, and checking fuel levels are all important aspects of vehicle preparation, they do not specifically address the critical safety concerns associated with towing. Therefore, ensuring that lights and brakes are operational takes precedence as it directly influences the safety of the towing operation and the safety of all road users.