An everyday story of tractor driving
Page 20
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In his Sound Off article (CM 14-20 Nov) Paul Fox quite rightly condemns the lax attitude that this Government has towards agricultural transport. I hope the following tale adds some grist to his mill.
This summer a local 16-year-old, without any formal training, applied for and took his tractor test. The examiner duly arrived and watched as the said schoolboy drove a solo 100hp tractor once around the village green and reversed into a lane. After a few simple questions on the highway code he expressed himself satisfied and that was that.
Now "qualified", the lad proceeded to drive the same tractor with a 12-tonne trailer around the local roads and villages at its top speed of 30mph, with little regard for his own safety or that of others.
When I tried to express my concern to the farmer his only answer was that it was all legal and above board, which was correct. I might also add that the young man in question was working 70 to 80 hours per week and being paid around £40 for his efforts. I know the above is true for I was taking a break from truck driving and was also working on the farm.
Brake will no doubt gain even wider support if it adds the present tractor test to its list of evils to be conquered.
A word of caution for the transport industry, however, If farmers are required to use tested tractors and trailers with C+E drivers then there will be an awesome over-capacity in the haulage trade throughout the winter, with a consequent effect on already low rates. Justin Roberts,
Witney.