A new campaign called 'Agri-Drive Safe' is being launched in 2017 to focus on the safe use of agricultural contractor’s vehicles.
The National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) campaign will kick off in January 2017. Over the year it will focus on improving the reputation of agricultural contractors on the roads, through information and events.
Commenting, Martin Hays, NAAC Chairman said: "Contractors tend to get a bad name because we have big kit and are highly visible on the roads with our sign-written fleet. We are often working under pressure, due to the UK weather and customer demands. However, that is no excuse for unsafe driving and, as an industry, contractors must take responsibility for our own drivers and other road users.’
"It can be very frustrating for local traffic as agricultural tractors and trailers are legally limited to travel at a top speed of 20-25mph depending on the tractor’s width. Likewise vehicles such as combines at a width of between 3.5-4.3m can only travel at 12mph.
"There is a big differential between cars travelling at 60mph on many rural roads and tractors at less than half that speed. Inevitably, this can result in queues of traffic behind agricultural vehicles," said Martin Hays. "However, safety remains paramount for everyone and, whilst it is important that agricultural drivers pull in to let traffic pass, other road users must appreciate that this can only happen when there is a safe place that such a large agricultural vehicle can manoeuvre in and out of the traffic."
The campaign will kick off in January 2017 with four transport workshops, aimed at ensuring that contractors are fully aware of their legal responsibilities on roads.
