Teenager caught using phone while driving a tractor
28th August 2024
A 16-year-old boy will appear in court over claims that he drove a tractor underage and was using his phone while driving.
Lincolnshire Police witnessed the teenager allegedly driving the vehicle on a road not suitable for the weight of the hay bales it was carrying.
The force also said he was too young to be driving such a heavy load, BBC News reports.
The vehicle was spotted on Tuesday, 20th August, on the A15 near Market Deeping.
Insp Paul Baxter, from Lincolnshire Police’s Rural Police Unit (RPU), told BBC Radio Lincolnshire that those aged 16 and over were able to drive certain tractors, but for such heavy loads, the driver needed to be 17 and hold the appropriate licence.
He added that during harvest season “farmers do work incredibly hard and do long hours”, but everyone should still ensure their loads were secure.
Drivers responsibility
The teenager has been issued a court summons, and if he is found guilty of the offences, he could face a fine and points on his licence, BBC News confirmed.
Insp Baxter said it was the responsibility of the 16-year-old boy and not the farm he worked at to ensure he was not breaking the law and that loads were strapped securely and correctly.
“To put the person in that position is irresponsible, however every driver, no matter what age they are, they [must] have a licence [and] passed a test. ”
He added that the “vast majority” of farmers in the community were responsible, and “they will load their vehicles correctly”.
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