WE ARE that time of the year again when farmers work round the clock to crop and maintain their field network.

It also the time when our roads are loaded with their farm traffic in this quest. These tractors and agricultural machines, designed for the prairies of North America and the plains of Central Europe, are a major hazard on our more restricted highways and byways.

I fully accept that the work must be done but too many of these behemoths are driven without care and consideration for other road users. High up in air-condition cabs, shielded by huge tyres and ‘aggressive’ tractor accessories such as fork-lifts, drivers display an arrogance and couldn’t-care-less attitude to the rest of us that is truly disturbing. Driven as if to say, “get out of my way."

At night, their headlights and side lights, top of the cab lights and other illumination render them blazing obstacles in the twilight, blinding pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike.

Since this equipment is here to stay then farm workers using it need to learn to drive less aggressively and that their invulnerability is intimidation and danger for the rest of us.

Perhaps the NFU might promote a Code of Practice and agricultural contractors themselves develop a little more humility when driving their machines.

Geoff Harrison

Hale