15.07.2008

RSA launches consultation process on use of agricultural vehicles

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a consultation process that could lead to tougher regulations governing the use of agricultural vehicles on public roads. The RSA has identified a number of issues with regard to the regulations governing the use of agricultural vehicles on public roads. The RSA has flagged the fact that there is no road worthiness test for most agricultural vehicles operating on public roads and has also highlighted concerns that 16-year-old can drive a tractor and trailer weighing more than 30 tonnes without a having passed a driving test.

The RSA has now published a consultation document outlining its safety concerns and calling for responses from interested parties. Chief executive Noel Brett said the existing guidelines were out of date and agricultural vehicles were towing huge loads at significant speeds on tyres designed for farmland. Brett said this raised concerns over braking and the possibility of a trailer jack-knifing or overturning. The RSA also has concerns about tailbacks caused by tractors on public roads but has no suggestion for how to address this.

The document suggests a 40km/h speed limit for agricultural vehicles and the stricter enforcement of the motorway ban on vehicles travelling at less than 50km/h. The consultation document is available on www.rsa.ie



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