Don't hold up traffic, Police urge tractor and slow moving vehicles drivers

Police in Dyfed-Powys are issuing a plea to tractor drivers in the area to pull over, where safe, if they have a queue of vehicles behind them, following a number of complaints from irate motorists of delays caused by slow-moving agricultural vehicles failing to yield.

Insp Mark Davies from the Road Policing unit said: “A number of people have contacted Dyfed-Powys police to complain about this recently, so now is a good time to remind all drivers of tractors and other slow-moving vehicles of the need to comply with the law in respect of driving without due consideration for other road users.

“A few tractor drivers will travel slowly along main roads, towing long, laden trailers and not give other vehicles the opportunity to pass. This causes a long snake of cars behind the tractor. Driver frustration then sets in, making impatient car drivers take extreme risks trying to overtake.

“The police recommendation to slow-moving vehicles is to pull over, where it is safe to do so, and make use of lay-bys, when you have six or more vehicles behind you.”

Rule 169 of the Highway Code states you must not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.

Tractor drivers are also urged not to pull over where there are double solid white lines and would mean passing cars crossing those lines. Common sense must be applied.

Insp Davies added: “Some staff on farms who drive tractors and slow moving machinery,may be unaware that failure to pull over when you have a long queue of traffic behind you could constitute an offence of inconsiderate driving.

“The offence could earn you 3 to 9 points on your licence and a fine of up to £5,000. We would urge farm owners to ensure that staff are aware of the law and they should pull over where necessary and safe to do so.”