[PR] RSA & IFA Issue Joint Summer Road Safety Appeal

Victor

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RSA & IFA Issue Joint Summer Road Safety Appeal

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) have issued a joint road safety appeal today Friday 29th June 2007.

Road users in general are being warned to expect an increase in the number of agricultural vehicles using the roads over the Summer and Autumn period.

This is the busiest time of year for farmers as it coincides with silage and harvest season. All road users are being advised to watch out for tractors, trailers and other farm machinery exiting from fields and farm yards and to exercise caution when travelling behind or meeting such vehicles on the public road. Watch out for agricultural vehicles and only overtake them when safe to do so. Road users are advised to expect the unexpected.

Drivers of agricultural vehicles are being reminded that they are governed by road traffic laws on driver licensing, insurance, standards in relation to vehicle roadworthiness, vehicle lighting and motor tax.

IFA President Padraig Walshe said “I am advising farmers to be safety conscious whenever bringing a farm vehicle onto the public road. Farmers should be aware of traffic building up behind them and keep left where possible to allow other vehicles pass safely. I would appeal to other road users to show patience when encountering farm machinery on the road. With understanding on both sides, the roads can be safer for everybody.”

Mr. Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority also advised farmers that “Your driving mirror must provide an adequate view of the road to the rear. Do not carry a passenger unless the tractor is equipped to carry one and the trailer should not be used for transporting people unless it has provision for carrying them.”

He added “All agricultural vehicles must have proper working brakes on both tractor and trailer units and must be fitted with lights, reflectors and indicators. In addition a vehicle should not be loaded in such a way that would make it unstable on the road, and beware of low bridges, overhanging trees, overhead cables and uneven road surfaces which could cause the load to shift and possibly overturn.”

Drivers of agricultural tractors and trailers are reminded to ensure that wheels are regularly washed down to avoid carrying mud and stones onto the public road. Be particularly careful when transporting material such as silage, slurry, sand and gravel so that it does not spill on the road and pose a road safety risk.

All tractors must be fitted with safety frames. This is to protect the driver from being crushed underneath if the tractor overturns.

For more information on legal requirements and road safety regarding agricultural vehicles using the public road please contact the RSA on 1890 50 60 80 or email info@rsa.ie.

Ends

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The main requirements of the road traffic legislation as they apply to agricultural vehicles are summarised as follows;


Brakes

Agricultural vehicles must be equipped with at least a service brake and a parking brake. Where a tractor is drawing a trailer which exceeds 5 tonnes in laden weight, the service brake must be of a continuous or semi-continuous type. Essentially, this means a single control, operated from the driving position, which is capable of being operated progressively and including an additional power source and controls to ensure a co-ordinated response between the tractor and the trailer.

Brakes fitted to a trailer drawn by a tractor vary according to the laden weight of the trailer. Agricultural trailers exceeding 5 tonnes laden weight must be fitted with the equipment necessary for the proper functioning of a service brake (which acts on both the tractor and the trailer), a parking brake and an automatic breakaway brake.


Lighting

Agricultural vehicles must be fitted with proper lights and reflectors and must be in good working order. Tractors must be fitted with two headlamps, two side lamps, two rear lamps, two rear reflectors, brake lights and number plate lights. Tractors and combinations must also be fitted with brake lights and indicators. Detached trailers parked in a public place after dark must be fitted with two side lamps, two rear lamps and two rear reflectors.

The use of white lights or ploughing lamps to the rear of an agricultural vehicle while on a public road at night is prohibited. This could confuse motorists into thinking that a vehicle is coming towards them.

Loose agricultural loads which project to the rear must be fitted with a load reflector fitted as close as possible to the extreme rear of the load and on the right hand side.


Weights and Dimensions

Never exceed the maximum permitted weight limits for vehicles and axles set down in road traffic regulations nor the manufacturers maximum Design Laden Weight for the vehicle concerned. To ensure the stability of tractor and trailer combinations while travelling on the road it is essential that loads are drawn with appropriately sized tractor and trailer combinations with the correct braking systems fitted and working. Trailers should not be overloaded and tractor and trailer combinations should also travel at speeds appropriate to agricultural vehicles.

The maximum speed forms part of the definition of a tractor for tax purposes and failure to comply could lead to breach of the law in this area.

Farmers using agricultural vehicles and trailers must not use exceptionally high frames on trailers which could endanger the stability, steering and braking of a tractor and trailer combination.

Vehicles or loads which exceed the maximum weight, length or widths allowable require a special abnormal loads permit from local authorities.


Spillage, Road Debris

Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993 states that it is an offence to allow stones, clay or any other material to remain on a public road where doing so would cause a hazard or potential hazard to people using the road and obstruct or interfere with the safe use of the road.

Drivers of tractors and other off road vehicles should try to ensure that the tyres of these vehicles are regularly washed down to avoid carrying mud and stones onto the public road. Tractors must carefully transport loose material such as silage, slurry, sand and gravel so that the material does not spill onto a public road and cause a crash. Loads of lime or other dusty materials, offal or other offensive material must be fully covered with a tarpaulin.


Licensing & Insurance

To drive a tractor you must have a category W licence. The minimum age at which you may apply for a category W licence is 16.

Any vehicle used in a public place must be covered by third party insurance as required by legislation. A public place includes the public roads, a mart and a factory yard. Third party insurance cover is also required on all trailers even where the trailer is not being drawn by a tractor.

MrFoxman360

Lights on trailers!!!!!!!!! Make sure your lights are all working properly, I see so many people day in day out with not even a set of indicaters on a trailer, I mean really its not on now a days. Poorly built/maintained tractor trailers, normally a lorry body cut down, thats another issue to be looked at.

Wishbone Ash

MrFoxman360 wrote:

I see so many people day in day out with not even a set of indicaters on a trailer

...or those who go to the expense of buying a tailboard and:

1. Fit it to the end of the trailer but neglect to connect it!
2. Put it on upside-down keeping all options open at a junction!

fastrac

at this stage the guys in the dumper trailers are a bigger menace. i saw 16 yr in a deere hauling earth texting while resting his feet against the windscreen down hill on a main rd.found out where he worked and tackled him.dont know if it worked but he wasnt too happy