Breach of the new regulations may result in a direct summons to court.
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These new tighter regulations were brought in following a comprehensive review undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on the original 1963 Road Traffic Act.
Here is a summary of the new rules:
Braking: more powerful braking systems are required for agricultural vehicles operating at speeds in excess of 40km/h. Most of the correctly maintained tractors, which have come into use in the past 30 years, already meet these requirements.
Lighting and visibility: agricultural vehicles must be equipped with appropriate lighting systems, flashing amber beacons and reflective markings.
Weights, dimensions and coupling: new national weight limits have been introduced. These enable tractor and trailer combinations that are unplated to remain in use at limits which are safe for such vehicles.
Plated tractors and trailer combinations are now able to operate at higher weight limits of up to 24 and 34 tonnes for tandem and tri-axle agricultural trailers respectively, provided they meet certain additional requirements.
Exemptions from compliance with the revised national weight limits are provided for certain types of interchangeable towed equipment such as slurry tankers, manure or fertiliser spreaders and grain chaser bins.
Plating and speed rating: trailers operating at weights exceeding 19 tonnes or at speeds exceeding 40km/h now require both an authorisation and a speed disc.
Penalties
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Breach of the new regulations may result in a direct summons to court. Courts may impose a class C fine (up to €2,500), a prison sentence, or both.
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These new tighter regulations were brought in following a comprehensive review undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on the original 1963 Road Traffic Act.
Here is a summary of the new rules:
Braking: more powerful braking systems are required for agricultural vehicles operating at speeds in excess of 40km/h. Most of the correctly maintained tractors, which have come into use in the past 30 years, already meet these requirements.
Lighting and visibility: agricultural vehicles must be equipped with appropriate lighting systems, flashing amber beacons and reflective markings.
Weights, dimensions and coupling: new national weight limits have been introduced. These enable tractor and trailer combinations that are unplated to remain in use at limits which are safe for such vehicles.
Plated tractors and trailer combinations are now able to operate at higher weight limits of up to 24 and 34 tonnes for tandem and tri-axle agricultural trailers respectively, provided they meet certain additional requirements.
Exemptions from compliance with the revised national weight limits are provided for certain types of interchangeable towed equipment such as slurry tankers, manure or fertiliser spreaders and grain chaser bins.
Plating and speed rating: trailers operating at weights exceeding 19 tonnes or at speeds exceeding 40km/h now require both an authorisation and a speed disc.
Penalties
Breach of the new regulations may result in a direct summons to court. Courts may impose a class C fine (up to €2,500), a prison sentence, or both.
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