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P LETTER OF THE WEEK
Page 16
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Safety issue: agricultural vehicles should be transported on loaders
I WAS interested to read Adrian Beadnell's comments regarding the double standards employed over the farming community compared with the transport industry (Tractor drivers one rule of the road for them and another for us?', CM 17 September).
Although modern farm trailers have become larger and stronger. and the tractors more powerful, I still see them primarily unsafe for the road when carrying goods.
The design changes may appear to make them more suitable for roads, although I do have my doubts, but it's worth remembering that not every farmer has the same level of new or modern equipment.
Although modern equipment may have more speed and power, I still question their tyre suitability as they dodge and bounce on roads in an uncontrolled fashion.
I would not even begin to comment on axle loadings or their general design as road vehicles, including the steering.
Perhaps VOSA would like to introduce a few random checks to see how they match up to our stringent regulations. Sorry, I forgot, they do not need an 0-licence, which ridicules its whole existence when it comes to safety and hours worked, so I presume this isn't a VOSA matter.
It is not only load-carrying vehicles that appear to be unsuitable. I also question combines and towing equipment, which flaunt road safety rules regarding tyres. lights, width, attachments and stability, Beadnell did raise an interesting point regarding "grey fergie and moving from field to field, which hits the nail on the head.
Previously, goods were moved off the field, but now we are seeing tractors used as an alternative to road transport, but without all the rules and costs.
The reason for such relaxed regulations and concessions to the farming industry, including the use of red diesel, was because the core of their business was off-road, with tractors only moving from one field to another, or back to the farmyard, and using the country lanes, which is their domain, and is something road transport should respect.
With large groups of farms under single ownership or agricultural contractors covering large areas, we now have items being used or transported on major roads, often bringing traffic to a standstill, which would not be tolerated if it had been created by road transport.
For safety reasons, the majority of farming equipment and machinery should not be used on major roads, but transported by low loaders under the rules of our industry.
Carl Stephens Pelham Truck Hire Immingham