Road Safety Appeal - Farming | farming news | cattle prices | ifa

Road Safety Appeal

Written by Cian MacSweeny
Monday, 09 June 2008
IFA and the RSA (Road Safety Authority) have issued a simultaneous road safety appeal. The warning comes with the expected increase in the number of agricultural vehicles using the roads over the summer and autumn period. Due to it being the sileage and harvest season, it is the busiest time for farmers. Road users in general are being advised to be vigilant and watch out for tractors, trailers and other farm machinery exiting from fields and farm yards and to exercise caution when traveling 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. A reminder has also been issued to farmers that they are governed by road traffic laws on driver licensing, insurance, standards in relation to vehicle roadworthiness, vehicle lighting and motor tax. “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" said IFA President Padraig Walshe. CEO of the RSA, Noel Brett 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 also noted that “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.” This road safety appeal applies to all road users over the coming harvest season and driver vigilance is being emphasized. You can get more information from the RSA website (www.rsa.ie) or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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