Secure loads on vehicles
Trailers and muck spreaders passing along the road should not be loaded to the extent that vibration causes them to overflow. The load carried must be properly secured so as not to cause danger.
Wide vehicles
Do not use vehicles that are too wide for the road. Overrunning of verges causes mud to spread onto the road, breaks up the edges of the road and damages draining arrangements. Cumberland Council has powers to claim compensation from any person causing extensive damage to a highway by vehicles of excessive weight or width passing along it.
Conditions relating to the width of agricultural vehicles
- If the width of an agricultural motor vehicle exceeds 3 metres, and the whole or part of the journey to be made by the vehicle will be on a road which has a speed limit of 40 mph or less or will cover a distance exceeding 5 miles: The operator of the vehicle must give 24 hours notice to the police. The maximum permitted speed of the vehicle is 20mph.
- If the width of an agricultural motor vehicle exceeds 3.5 metres, at least one person other than the driver shall be employed to warn other drivers of the presence of the vehicle on the road. The maximum permitted speed of the vehicle is 12mph.
- The overall width of the vehicle must not exceed 4.3 metres.
- 16-year-old drivers holding a category F licence are restricted to driving a tractor with a maximum width of 2.43 metres.
Slow-moving vehicles
Drivers of slow-moving vehicles on main roads should remain aware of any tailbacks they are causing and, when appropriate and safe to do so, should pull in. On dual carriageways, amber flashing beacons must be used to warn traffic of the presence of slow vehicles. It is, however, strongly recommended that they be used on other roads as an additional warning/safety feature.
Avoid using the roads during periods of heavy traffic, if possible. In addition, please be aware of the need for emergency vehicles to pass, especially on single-carriageway roads such as classified roads or primary roads. There are limited passing opportunities for emergency vehicles on these roads, so frequent checks for emergency vehicles in any tailbacks and pulling off the road to allow them to pass, are required.