Police are crediting the public with helping avert a potential highway tragedy on the west coast of Newfoundland.

RCMP received tips on Monday morning regarding a motorhome towing a utility trailer in what was described as an unsafe manner.

Police and highway enforcement officers tracked down the older model vehicle, pulling it over for an inspection at the Pynn’s Brook weigh scales.

That inspection revealed that the towing hitch was broken, the bumper of the motorhome was hanging off and the trailer was only attached with chains, with the nose of the trailer hanging just inches above the ground.

Police also discovered that the man behind the wheel, a 30-year-old from Ontario, was driving while suspended.

The motorhome was subsequently “deemed unroadworthy” and taken off the highway, while the driver was issued several tickets by the RCMP.

“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility,” they stated in a news release. “We thank those who reported this incident to police.”