Why Most Aussie Drivers Lack Towing Confidence – And How Smarter Tech Can Help

When it comes to towing on Australian roads, confidence is low and safety concerns are high. That’s the key takeaway from a new national survey commissioned by Elecbrakes, a leader in electric brake controllers, which uncovered some surprising statistics about how Australians really feel when towing trailers, caravans, and boats.

Just 17% of Drivers Feel Very Confident Towing

In a survey of over 1,000 Australian drivers, fewer than 1 in 5 (17%) said they feel very confident when towing. Alarmingly, nearly one-third (29%) admitted they have no confidence at all.

Even more worrying? Only 30% of drivers know their vehicle’s legal towing capacity, a critical figure when it comes to avoiding overloaded and unsafe setups.

“This is a wake-up call for greater education and safer towing practices,” says Craig de Leon, Founder and Director of Elecbrakes.

“While Australians generally feel safe on the roads, the data reveals an alarming knowledge gap when it comes to towing, a task that requires both skill and technical understanding.”

Unsafe Towing Still Too Common

The report also found that over half (55%) of those who tow have experienced their trailer swaying on the road, a dangerous situation that can escalate quickly if not handled correctly.

Despite this, only 43% of towing drivers are using a sway control system. A full 52% admit they have no sway control in place at all.

This is despite the fact that nearly all drivers (97%) agree sway control is important, and 78% say they’d feel safer if it were installed.

Road Safety Concerns Go Beyond Towing

It’s not just towing that has drivers uneasy. The survey also revealed that:

• 81% of Australians worry about being involved in a road accident.
• 65% cite speeding as the most common mistake they see on the roads.
• 47% believe accidents are caused by a mix of human error and bad luck, while 43% blame human error alone.

The Solution: Smarter Tech, Safer Towing

In response to these findings, Elecbrakes is stepping up with an Australian-first solution, Elecbrakes SwayControl.

Launching later this year, Elecbrakes is launching the first all-in-one brake controller with automated sway control, offering real-time sway detection and automatic correction. It’s designed to give drivers more peace of mind and more control when it counts.

“With road safety an ever-present concern, these findings highlight the need for better driver education and more proactive use of safety technologies especially for towing,” says Craig de Leon.

“The risks are real, but so are the solutions. That’s why we’re proud to introduce Elecbrakes SwayControl – Australia’s first electric brake controller with automated sway control functionality that will be available later this year. Designed for real-time sway detection and automatic correction, this innovation makes towing smarter and safer, delivering peace of mind and intelligent performance to redefine what safe towing looks like on Australian roads.”

Smarter Towing Starts Here

Elecbrakes’ wireless electric brake controllers and smart sway control technology are available to order online. Discover a new standard of towing safety and control at elecbrakes.com.