Donegal gardaí issue road safety warning ahead of slurry-spreading season

Gardaí in Donegal have urged motorists to be careful and use extra vigilance on the county’s roads during the up-coming slurry-spreading season. 

From February 1, when the slurry-spreading period opens, gardaí say there is likely to be an increase in the volume of agricultural vehicles using roads across the county.

Motorists travelling behind tractors, or other slow-moving vehicles, are asked to be patient and not be tempted to overtake in a dangerous manner. 

Road users are also being asked to look out for farm machinery exiting fields and farm yards.

Farmers are being asked to be aware if traffic is building up behind them and to keep left when safe to do so in order to allow other vehicles to pass safely.

Drivers of agricultural vehicles are also reminded to wash down all wheels regularly to avoid carrying mud and stones onto the public road and to be careful when transporting material such as silage, slurry, sand and gravel so that it does not spill on the road. They are also asked not to overload trailers in a manner that would cause them to be unstable on the road.

Vehicles seized following a series of checkpoints across Inishowen

Gardaí from the Buncrana roads policing unit were involved in the multi-agency checkpoints 

Gardaí have called on drivers of agricultural vehicles to be aware of low bridges, overhanging trees, overhead cables and uneven road surfaces which could cause the load to shift and possibly overturn.

The driving mirror must always provide an adequate view of the road and all agricultural vehicles must have proper working brakes on both tractor and trailer units. All agricultural vehicles must be fitted with lights, reflectors and indicators.

Farmers are also reminded that large farming vehicles should consider using an escort vehicle to warn other road users and ensure that tractors are driven at an appropriate speed for the road conditions.

The advice includes never letting an inexperienced driver use machinery and ensuring that all equipment and machinery has been serviced properly and is in good working order.