Driving large tractors at 16 is ‘irresponsible’

ALLOWING 16-year-olds to drive large tractors and trailers with heavy loads is irresponsible, the national ploughing championships heard yesterday.

Under legislation it is possible for a 16-year-old to drive a tractor and trailer combination with no weight or power limit specified. This may include a trailer, again with no weight limit specified.

But the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) wants new Transport Minister Martin Cullen to introduce tractor-trailer legislation to reduce accidents on the public roads involving farm machinery.