Motorists warned after farm vehicle accident

Terry Nott
Terry Nott

Tractor drivers and motorists have been warned of the dangers of farm vehicles driving with their buckets down after a farm insurance inspector was involved in an accident.

Cornish Mutual Inspector, Terry Nott, had a lucky escape after his car was in collision with a loader exiting a yard with the bucket down. Nott's car was flipped onto its side and suffered such extensive damage that it had to be written off.

Farmers and motorists are were warned to make sure they realised the dangers that farm vehicles can pose, particularly when they are leaving fields and farmyards.

Nott said: “Unfortunately it’s quite common for farmers to drive loaders and tractors with the forks or the buckets down, and this poses a very real danger for everyone.

“Not only does it increase the risk of a nasty accident happening on the roads, it is also more dangerous for the tractor or loader driver, as it restricts their view.

“They would be safer reversing if they have to drive with the bucket down, because their view would be better that way.”

Nott escaped injury after his car was damaged, but the official advice to all tractor or loader drivers is not to drive any vehicle with the loader or bucket in the downward position.

The Health and Safety Executive advises: “Drivers of loaders, lift trucks and telescopic handlers suffer from poor forward visibility when carrying loads in front of them.

“Position the load so it does not obscure your vision. If this compromises stability it may be safer to travel in reverse."