Tractors in the Shire !!

[ian2144]

I got stuck behind a tractor on the B9001 Inverurie / Rothienorman road, I was in the middle of about 15 cars. We had driven about 6 miles before he drew in to a farmyard. This makes my blood boil....and is becoming a regular ocurance.

Many moons ago when I worked in Plant Hire, and drove JCB's for a living. Once I was driving my digger up the A84 towards Callander, I got pulled over by a Traffic cop, and got a severe ear bashing, and was told never to have any more than 5 or 6 cars behind me, and let traffic pass at every available opportunity.
It now looks like tractor drivers can do what they like and getaway with it.

Rant over!!

[tuscan_thunder]

I'm a part-time farmer, and I'm like you - always aware of what's behind. I think current thinking is up to about 6 cars and pull over at earliest opportunity.

However, when I'm in the Fastrac, it's less of a problem - some people struggle to keep up with it!

[KB_S1]

You should try the A82 and 83 in the summer. It is common to have a queue of 30-40 vehicles stuck behind a caravan averaging 25-30mph for 15 miles or more.

[AndyAudi]

I'm a farmers son, and do have occasion to drive the aforementioned vehicles on the public highway from time to time. Have to agree that many tractors i've followed should be pulling in on now & again, but sometimes in busy traffic, with a load, if you stop to let cars past, you won't get back out again. (in such circumstances I slow down considerably on straight stretches to allow folk to pass more easily)

Andy

PS quite often it is the vehicle(s) immediately behind that increase the delay by not taking suitable oportunities to pass

[renmure]

AndyAudi said:

PS quite often it is the vehicle(s) immediately behind that increase the delay by not taking suitable oportunities to pass

Got to agree with that. I live in the countryside and am often stuck in a queue with a tractor at the front all caused because some duffer behind the tractor wont overtake when its possible nor will they leave room for anyone else to overtake them. .... and breathe.....

[stu_the_flat]

I think if there is more than 6 vechiles behind you are legaly obliged to put over. What REALLY gets me is when there arsing about and they overtake each other in the straights. stopping the rest of us.

[naetype]

stu_the_flat said:

I think if there is more than 6 vechiles behind you are legaly obliged to put over. .....

As far as I'm aware that only applies in England but I have my doubts as it was a farmer down in Chester who told me that. When I raised this topic with some of our estate workers who regularly drive tractors their opinion is that if they're on anything apart from a singletrack road then it's up to the vehicles behind to overtake when they can. Which obviously leads to those who never overtake.

As for the A82/83 during the summer I'll go round by Dalmally/Loch Awe, if I'm heading Fort Bill way, to avoid the top part of Loch Lomond it does get that bad.

Still my record overtake was on the A9 one summer - 30+ in one go (I actually think it was nearer 50 but no-one would ever believe it). No tractors involved either

[ian2144]

naetype said:

[quote=stu_the_flat]I think if there is more than 6 vechiles behind you are legaly obliged to put over. .....

As far as I'm aware that only applies in England

I'm sure the Traffic Cop would be well aware of road traffic act law!

[stu_the_flat]

ian2144 said:

naetype said:

stu_the_flat said:

I think if there is more than 6 vechiles behind you are legaly obliged to put over. .....

As far as I'm aware that only applies in England

I'm sure the Traffic Cop would be well aware of road traffic act law!

fair eoungh. but I still go by that rule. it a good law even if its not a law!

[naetype]

Highway Code (my bold):

145. Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.

only rule 141 in the overtaking section is a 'must not'.

[ViperScot]

It's state law in California to pull over if there are 5 or more vehicles being held up behind you. Makes perfect sense to me.