Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Twitter LinkedIn
    • FREE Email Newsletters
    • About Us
    • Advertise
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
    Twitter LinkedIn
    Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    • News
      • Arable & Agronomy
      • Dealership News
      • Environmental Land Management Scheme/Policy
      • Event News
      • Health & Safety
      • Machinery
      • People
      • World News
    • Farm Machinery
      • Amenity & Maintenance
      • Cultivations
      • Drilling
      • Grassland Equipment
      • Harvesting
      • Muck & Slurry
      • Sprayers
      • Telehandlers
      • Tractors
      • Tractor of the Year
      • Tyres & Tracks
      • Whatever happened to?
    • Precision Farming
    • Markets & Policy
    • Profiles
      • National Arable and Grassland Awards
      • Company Profiles
      • Reader Profiles
    • Livestock
      • Beef
      • Dairy
      • Sheep
    • Magazines
      1. July 2025 issue
      2. June 2025 issue
      3. Cereals event guide 2025
      4. May 2025 issue
      5. April 2025 issue
      6. March 2025 issue
      7. 2025 Tyre Developments supplement
      8. February 2025 issue
      9. National Arable and Grassland Awards supplement
      10. January 2025 issue
      11. December 2024 issue
      12. November 2024 issue
      13. October 2024 issue
      14. September 2024 issue
      15. August 2024 Issue
      16. 2024 Drills and Seeds supplement
      17. July 2024 Issue
      18. Cereals Supplement
      19. June 2024 Issue
      20. May 2024 Issue
      21. April 2024 Issue
      22. Tyres and Tracks Supplement
      23. March 2024 Issue
      24. National Arable & Grassland Award – Meet the Finalists
      25. February 2024 Issue
      26. January 2024 Issue
      27. December 2023
      28. Agritechnica Preview Supplement
      29. November 2023
      30. October 2023
      Featured

      July 2025 issue available now

      By Matthew TiltJuly 9, 2025
      Recent

      July 2025 issue available now

      July 9, 2025

      Cereals event guide 2025 available now

      June 20, 2025

      June 2025 issue available now

      June 2, 2025
    • Events
    • Podcast
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer
    Health & Safety

    NFU Mutual urges farmers to prioritise safety on the road as haulier shortages impact harvest

    Matthew TiltBy Matthew TiltAugust 20, 20213 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Witchford,,Cambridgeshire/,England,-,May,2020:,A,Jcb,Fastrac,4220
    Harry Simpson / Shutterstock.com

    Farmers forced to use their own tractors and trailers for harvest transport, due to the current shortage of lorry drivers, are been advised to regularly check brakes and hitch mechanisms.

    The warning from the NFU Mutual comes as the nation faces disruption to road transport because of the driver shortage, which is affecting deliveries to supermarkets, hospitality, the construction trade and agriculture.

    Advice includes making sure that tractors and trailers are correctly matched and maintenance schedules are in place, as well as regular breaks to avoid driver fatigue and carefully chosen routes, to avoid congested roads where possible.

    NFU Mutual also supports the Tilly Your Trailer initiative, which enables farmers to have their trailers inspected and get a Tilly Pass to confirm that trailers are safe for road use and comply with legislation.

    Gwyn Barlow of NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Ltd said: “Harvest is the toughest time of the year for arable farmers – and this year the nationwide shortage of lorry drivers is adding to the pressures.

    “Travelling across rough fields and through muddy gateways takes its toll on farm machinery so we are advising farmers to regularly check that brakes are working correctly, lights and indicators can be seen, and windows and mirrors are clean.

    “We’re also asking the public to be patient when driving behind tractors for a few minutes and appreciate the need to get the harvest in to feed the nation.”

    Tractor and trailer road safety checklist:

    • Make sure tractors and trailers are maintained according to the manufacturer’s schedules, and that records are kept;
    • Check that insurance policies cover additional transport work;
    • Ensure that tractor and trailer lights are working correctly and are clean;
    • Ensure that windows and mirrors are clean;
    • Regularly check trailer hitch eyes for wear;
    • Make sure that flashing orange beacons are fitted and used where required;
    • Keep trailer loads within the manufacturer’s capacity rating;
    • Pull in when safe to do so to allow traffic to overtake;
    • Drivers should be aware of impatient following drivers attempting to overtake when tractors slow down to turn right into fields and farm tracks;
    • Plan routes to avoid congested roads and peak traffic where possible;
    • Make sure tractors are matched to trailer weights and have compatible braking systems;
    • Comply with laws governing tractor and trailer weights, distances travelled, axle combinations, braking systems and speed limits;
    • Provide training with on-farm equipment and maintenance schedules;
    • Make sure seatbelts are in good condition and used by the driver;
    • Make sure drivers take regular breaks;
    • Instruct drivers not to use mobile phones when driving.
    Tweet
    Share
    Share
    Pin
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email
    Previous ArticleFarmers urged to consider alternatives to nitrogen as prices surge
    Next Article New rural approach needed to help ‘level up’ the nation
    Matthew Tilt
    • Twitter
    • LinkedIn

    Machinery editor for Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer. Matt has worked as an agricultural machinery journalist for five years, following time spent in his family’s Worcestershire contracting business. When he’s not driving or writing about the latest farm equipment, he can be found in his local cinema, or with his headphones in, reading a good book.

    Read Similar Stories

    Focus on farm safety with new award

    July 9, 2025

    Urgent action on rural crime needed as collaboration shows promising results

    June 18, 2025

    New UK Towing Safety Alliance launches

    May 28, 2025
    Most Read Stories

    Versatile dribble bar provides precise application

    July 9, 2025

    Focus on farm safety with new award

    July 9, 2025

    Sheep-dipping business helps fight scab

    July 9, 2025
    Farm Contractor & Large Scale Farmer

    The UK's leading agricultural machinery journal

    Twitter LinkedIn
    © 2024 MA Agriculture Ltd, a Mark Allen Group company

    Privacy Policy | Cookies Policy | Terms & Conditions

    • Farmers Weekly
    • AA Farmer
    • Poultry News
    • Pig World

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.