New vehicle standards for agricultural vehicles have been introduced by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and are set to come into force in 2016. The new legislation arrives after an exhaustive examination of the current laws, which are over 50 years old, and do not take into account advances made in agricultural vehicle technology since then - and the increased use of such vehicles on the road.
The new standards will apply to both new and existing vehicles and are primarily related to critical road safety areas, such as braking, suspension systems, tyres and lighting as well as the weights for which the vehicles are designed. The RSA feels that the majority of correctly maintained tractors already in use comply with the revised standards being introduced and those that do not should only require minor remedial works carried out, such as fitment of a flashing amber beacon and/or a replacement manufacturer's plate indicating their design axle weights and maximum permitted towable masses.
Some of the original proposals put forward by the RSA, including restricting agricultural vehicles from using motorways, changes to driver testing and licensing regulations (including formal training for those learning to drive agricultural and works vehicles), are not covered by the new legislation.
Anything else?
Full details of the new regulations are available on the RSA website along with tips on achieving compliance with the revised standards. A communications plan is also being drawn up to fully explain the new regulations to the farming community.