Working drivers urged to use a little courtesy

A plea for motorists and those driving farm vehicles along public highways to be considerate of other users of the roads has been made. Picture: PA

A request to consider other road users came from Inspector Neil Hewitson of the road policing unit.

“Tourist traffic increases at this time of year, which coincides with the summer holiday period. Children are out of school just now which can mean more pedestrians and cyclists on and around the roads.”

He asked motorists to stay alert and drive to the conditions they come encounter.

“At this time of year the farming community are very busy with hay, silage and harvest activities and as such are almost working round the clock to get all the work done when the weather is favourable.”

For those driving agricultural machinery on the roads, he asked them to consider the effect their vehicle and its speed or size were having on other road users.

“If it is apparent that your vehicle is causing a long tailback then consider pulling over in a lay-bye for a couple of minutes to allow the following traffic to pass safely.”

Pulling over and letting the other motorists through was far better than having them attempting dangerous overtaking manoeuvres which put everyone’s life at risk.

Responding on behalf of NFU Scotland to this request for motorists and farmworkers to co-operate in their use of the road, Jamie Smart said that farmers holding up traffic should remember they were possibly holding up customers.

“The public appreciate that farmers and those using tractors and other agricultural vehicles need to use the road network. Their patience is appreciated. In return, we need to remember to be considerate and pull into lay-bys where safe to do so if we are holding up traffic.

“Given that those that we may be holding up are also our customers, showing such consideration would go down well and, crucially, go a long way to improving the safety of all road users.”