Police have urged all farm machinery operators to ensure loads they are transporting are secure.
The appeal comes after Norfolk and Suffolk Roads, and Armed Policing Team reported “shocking stops” when conducting checkpoints as part of a road safety operation.
Last week, the force brought a John Deere tractor transporting bales on a trailer with no straps, to a halt.
On Twitter, a spokesperson for Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team said:
“#RCRT & #RAPT have been #A47 #A11 this week on #OpTramline There have been some shocking stops on vehicle loads.”
“There should be more than just gravity holding loads onto vehicles. #RoadSafety #TOR #190/845/others.”
Unsecured load of bales
Gardaí across the waters in Ireland have also highlighted the same message.
An appeal last month came following an incident in Portlaoise, Co Laois on Monday, August 2nd, 2021.
In a post on social media on Tuesday, August 3rd, a spokesperson for Garda Síochána Laois/Offaly said:
“Not long before our colleagues were dealing with the fatal road collision on the M7/M8 motorways yesterday evening, they were dealing with the aftermath of an unsecured load on the periphery of Portlaoise.”
“#FarmSafetyWeek2021 includes road safety. Secure your load. If the load is too much, have the cop on to split it and make another run.”
Transporting loads
According to the RSA (Road Safety Authority of Ireland), unsecured or inadequately secured loads can shift when a vehicle is in motion and may cause:
- Loss of control of a vehicle;
- Objects to fall on or hit people;
- Road obstruction or collision where a driver is required to swerve to avoid fallen items;
- Spillages that may cause vehicles to lose control;
- Failure to secure loads properly may also result in financial losses due to damaged goods and vehicles, lost working time, clean-up costs and legal costs.
Loads must be secured even if the vehicle is only travelling a short distance or at low speeds.
The authority stressed that load security is not just the sole responsibility of the vehicle driver. Employers, vehicle owners, drivers and loading and unloading staff all have a role to play in ensuring loads are secure.
It warned that a failure to secure loads properly may also result in financial losses due to damaged goods and vehicles, lost working time, clean-up costs and legal costs.
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