MSP calls for roads clampdown on "inconsiderate" farmers
A Highlands and Islands MSP has called for more action to prevent the frustration caused to other road users by slow moving farm vehicles.
Mr David Stewart has been working with the ‘HGV 50mph Campaign’ to try and persuade the Scottish Government to increase the speed limit for HGVs on main route single carriageways from 40mph to 50mph.
He has asked for the speed increase to be piloted on the A9 road.
He is now targeting the frustration caused to other road users by slow moving farm vehicles.
The Labour MSP said: "We need to be realistic and support our local farmers, but some farmers who take to primary routes during peak times at rush hour with their tractors and then fail to pull over, causing large tailbacks, are quite frankly driving in an inconsiderate manner.
"All I ask is that common sense be displayed.
"I appreciate farmers need access to fields and marts, they need our support in lots of different ways and I am fully behind them and the essential service they provide to us all.
"I am also happy if their vehicles are road worthy, that they are entitled to use the road like anyone else, but do they have to take to primary routes during rush hour and if they do, should they not be prepared to pull over and prevent tailbacks and frustration?"
Mr Stewart said that the Road Traffic law 1988 section 3, makes it an offence If a person drives a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place.
The said: "The police quite rightly focus on speeding motorists to prevent road collisions but I would also ask what are they doing about the extremely slow motorists that causes tailbacks and frustration?
"I will be writing to Police Scotland on this matter, particularly since they have made it clear that one of their priorities will be making our roads safer. I will also be writing to the National Farmers Union asking what advice if any they are giving to farmers on this issue."
