Kilkenny gardaí warn about vehicle feature you ‘must NEVER’ use on roads
One particular safety issue was strongly highlighted by gardaí in Kilkenny
Kilkenny gardaí have issued a fresh warning to motorists and farmers as silage season ramps up across the county.
An Garda Síochána Kilkenny urged all road users to take extra care as tractors and agricultural machinery become more common on local roads during one of the busiest periods of the farming calendar.
In a post shared on social media, gardaí warned that the pressures of the busy cutting season can lead to dangerous decisions behind the wheel.
“It's that time of year when if you're involved in the agri sector, you're likely flat out cutting,” the post read.
“This brings with it time pressures and that can cause risk taking.”
Gardaí highlighted speeding, driving too fast for conditions and distracted driving as major causes of collisions involving both ordinary motorists and agricultural vehicles.
The warning comes as farmers across Kilkenny and surrounding counties work long hours to make the most of favourable weather conditions for silage cutting.
However, one particular safety issue was strongly highlighted by gardaí and that’s the use of plough lights on public roads.
They stressed that the lights, which are designed for night-time field work, should never be switched on while travelling on public roads.
“Please also be mindful that plough lights, essential for night field work, must NEVER be used on a public road,” gardaí said.
The bright lights can dazzle and distract other motorists, increasing the risk of collisions, particularly on narrow rural roads.
Gardaí also appealed to other drivers to remain patient when encountering slower-moving farm machinery.
“Other motorists, make allowances, don't do silly dangerous overtakes, be aware and be patient,” the statement continued.
“We all share the road.”