Lincolnshire farmers are beseeching drivers for leniency and awareness on rural roads as the harvest season advances. Farmer Henry Moreton, based near Woodhall Spa, has encountered numerous disconcerting events with drivers recklessly attempting to bypass his tractor and combine harvester. Moreton underscores the perils of frontal crashes with farm machinery, stating “It’s preferable to arrive a little late than not at all.”
As the Lincolnshire county chair of the National Farmers’ Union, he recalled a particularly chilling event where a minibus carrying children tried to bypass on a blind bend, emphasising the need for road cognizance and caution.
According to NFU Mutual, the risk of mishaps between farming vehicles and other roadway users escalates by 65% from May to September, rendering the message more significant than ever. The NFU’s national president, Tom Bradshaw recognised the strains of harvest time on farmers. He encouraged mutual comprehension between farmers and drivers, affirming that farmers will strive to minimise disruptions to traffic, although cooperation remains crucial.
The Highway Code recommends drivers to exercise caution when passing large vehicles by securing sufficient space and avoiding premature cutting in. Farmers like Moreton pledge to pull over when feasible to facilitate the flow of traffic. However, they are appealing for patience from the public as their work provision of food aids communities.
This article draws its content from original reporting by https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gd8ngjde2o.
