Tractor drivers should not attach plough lamps to a vehicle’s rear when travelling on public roads.
That is the key message the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the FCI are conveying to machinery operators today (Wednesday, March 16th, 2022).
Operators fit work lamps, commonly known as ‘ploughing lamps’ to agricultural tractors and self-propelled machinery.
According to the statement from both bodies, these lamps generally emit a white light to the vehicle’s rear to give extra visibility when working on-farm.
Under Road Traffic Regulations, it is illegal to have white lights to the rear of any vehicle switched on while using public roads.
They advise that only red and amber lights should appear on to the rear of a vehicle when used on the road.
Plough lamps
Mr Michael Moroney, Chief Executive of FCI Ireland, said:
“As spring work on farms gathers pace, the FCI is encouraging all tractor users to make sure that plough lamps are never used when travelling on public roads.”
“Amber flashing lights give adequate notice of slower vehicles to other road users.’’
Mr Sam Waide, chief executive, Road Safety Authority, said:
‘’Please be mindful of other drivers at lighting up time and at night.”
“These lights can confuse motorists into thinking that a vehicle is approaching.”
“In addition, work lamps are high power lamps which could temporarily blind other road users, which is a serious road safety concern,” Waide concluded.
Contractors want carbon tax removed from green diesel for five years
Meanwhile, the FCI has called on the government to immediately remove carbon tax from all MGO (green diesel) contractors use for the next five years.
It has outlined that such a move would:
- Allow “adequate” time for the international machine development and supply sector to provide alternatives to Internal Combustion Engines (ICE). The body suggested these could come in the form of “market-ready” zero-carbon systems to meet the Climate Action Plan’s objectives.
- Reduce costs.
Read more on this news story.
