Representatives of the National Farmers’ Union Scotland have urged all drivers to show “common courtesy” after tractor drivers were accused of failing to pull over when traffic builds up.
Long queues regularly form on some of Tayside and Fife’s busiest routes as frustrated car drivers struggle to make their way past heavy agricultural vehicles.
One such motorist hit out, saying he is “fed up” of the situation. He also alleged that many tractor drivers create an extra hazard and flout the law by routinely chatting on mobile phones while behind the wheel.
“I regularly drive throughout Tayside and Fife for my work and have noticed more problems than ever this year,” the Perthshire resident said. “More and more tractor drivers seem to be ignoring the huge tailbacks they cause.
“I fully understand and appreciate that farmers have a job to do and have every right to be on the road. However, it is surely not too much to ask for them to check their wing mirrors once every few minutes and safely pull over when queues start to build.”
The motorist said he was “astonished” to see so many tractor drivers using their mobile phones.
“There has been a very well publicised clampdown on driving while talking on mobiles,” he continued. “Farmers cannot fail to be aware of the legislation in that regard and should know better.
“To be caught up behind a slow-moving tractor for a long period only to eventually realise the driver is chattering away on a mobile phone rather than checking for any traffic build-up is a bit galling.
“I know a lot of farmers and have huge respect for what they do but I am getting a bit fed up of seeing 15-minute journeys turn in to near hour-long epics as I crawl along behind yet another tractor.”Busiest seasonA NFU Scotland spokesman said many tractor drivers already pulled over for others.
“With the scramble on to complete harvest and groundwork, autumn is often the busiest season for agricultural vehicles on the roads,” he said. “Rural road users have a good appreciation of the pressures on farmers to beat the weather in completing their work and their patience and understanding is much appreciated.
“In return, many of those farmers travelling with tractors and implements regularly return the favour and pull over to allow traffic to safely pass when queues develop.”
The spokesman asked for all drivers to show respect.
“For the sake of continued good relationships between farming and the wider community, and the avoidance of frustration on the roads, common courtesy from both sides will ensure everyone gets to their destination safely,” he added.