Collisions with farm vehicles 52% more likely during summer harvest, data shows

With harvest season already underway, there is a greater need for road users to respect country roads, the rural insurer warned. Livestock farmers are currently making their vital first cut of silage to feed cattle over winter, followed by hay making in June onwards, then arable crop harvesting through July and August.

The next few months will see a surge in farm traffic, with tractors pulling heavy silage and grain trailers or wide agricultural machinery, coinciding with more people heading to the countryside to enjoy the warm weather.

The figures of NFU Mutual show collisions between agricultural vehicles and third parties were 52% more likely between the start of May and the end of September 2022 compared to the rest of the year, warranting for increased caution on rural roads. On average, 423 of these accidents were recorded per month during harvesting season, compared to 249 per month between October and April.

As well as an increase in agricultural traffic, the summer months also coincide with the school holidays and a greater amount of leisure traffic, with road users not necessarily used to rural roads, further increasing the risk of accidents.

Jade Devlin, rural road safety specialist at NFU Mutual, is encouraging rural communities and visitors alike to remain aware of tractors, trailers, and other agricultural machinery on the road:

“With silaging underway in many parts of the UK, we’re beginning to see more tractors, trailers and large agricultural machinery such as combine harvesters on our rural roads.

“Agricultural vehicles are generally large, wide and slow, which can tempt road users to overtake, but it’s vital that you remain patient and only overtake when it’s safe to do so – when you can see a clear road ahead, there are no field openings, and you have space to pass,” he advised.

“Farmers and contractors cannot drive too quickly, but they will generally either be going a short distance to an adjacent field or will – and should – pull over to allow built-up traffic to pass. Motorists and cyclists should be patient, give agricultural vehicles room to turn and not drive too closely to them, which can be dangerous and can obstruct your view before overtaking.”

He encouraged those who use rural roads to show mutual respect and help keep motorists and vulnerable road users such as cyclists, horse riders and walkers safe this harvest season.

“It’s important to remember that rural roads are vital arteries for our agricultural industry, allowing farmers to bring in the harvest which helps feed the population, as well as valued spaces which allow us to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life.”

Inspector Jem Mountford from Warwickshire Police Roads Policing Unit added: “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. With more people using country roads during the summer months, it is important we are all patient and show respect to other road users.

“If everyone does this, then we can reduce the number of collisions and injuries on these roads.”

NFU Mutual’s guide to respecting rural roads

To help keep rural roads safe, NFU Mutual offers some advice to road users this harvest season:

All road users 

• Give plenty of space when overtaking. Vulnerable road users, such as walkers, runners, horse riders and cyclists, should be given as much room as motorists where possible.
• Always check for other road users, particularly at the entrance of fields and junctions.
• Be patient with fellow road users and only overtake when it is safe for all road users.
• Consider where you park to avoid blocking field entrances or obstructing the road for wide agricultural machinery, such as combine harvesters, as they will often need to drive across two lanes.
• Be aware of mud on the road. Rural roads are essential to our farming industry and therefore some mud will be dragged from fields to the road.
• Familiarise yourself with the Highway Code.
• Avoid unnecessary distractions like looking at your phone or listening to music through headphones, allowing you to be aware of your surroundings.

Farmers 

• Ensure all equipment is road worthy and pay particular care to things like trailers which may not have been used for months. Check brakes and indicators and make sure you have reflectors and a beacon for your vehicle. Use the Tilly Checklist to inspect your trailer.
• Be aware of vulnerable road users or hidden junctions, making contractors aware of these junctions and commonly-used walking, cycling and riding routes.
• Familiarise yourself and your contractors with the speed limits for your vehicles.
• If your agricultural vehicles leave mud in the road, remember to clean it up.
• When turning, indicate in plenty of time and check more than once for road users on your inside.
• Be respectful to fellow road users, but only allow them to pass when it is safe to pull over.

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists

• Speed limits are not targets. Always drive appropriately and remember rural roads are likely to have hazards such as tighter carriageways, blind corners, and animals in the road.
• Pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders should consider wearing appropriate clothing which enables them to be seen.
• Respect that rural roads are vital to our farming industry and expect to encounter tractors, farm machinery or animals in the road.