According to CEMA (European Agricultural Machinery Industry), a recent European study has found that more than four fifths (83%) of accidents that happen on public roads involving agricultural machinery can be attributed to just five major factors.
The findings are the result of an analysis of accident data from Switzerland over a six-year period (2011-2016). The analysis was done by the Swiss Advisory Centre for Accident Prevention in Agriculture, studying 276 agricultural accidents in the given time-frame.
In order of importance, the five significant causes of on-road accidents with farm machines are: roll-over of the machine (24% of recorded on-road agri machinery accidents); behaviour of other road-users (20%); operator visibility (15%); machine maintenance (13%); and driver behaviour (11%).
According to the report, there is a series of priority actions recommended to help address these factors.
Image source: cema-agri.org
The first recommended action is to retro-fit roll-over protection structures and seat-belts where not already present – primarily on older machinery as more modern equipment usually comes with such protection already installed.
Roll-overs are also easily the highest factor (51%) in accidents happening with machines on the farm or in the field, so it is crucial that such protection is present.
It is also recommended to have appropriate lighting and signalling panels on farm machinery, which is something that will become increasingly important as of 2018 with new EU rules, according to CEMA. The lighting is designed to allow other road-users to see farm machinery at as early an opportunity as possible.
Image source: Shane Casey
Public awareness campaigns are also highlighted as a suitable approach to the issue of other road-users causing accidents.
Image source: Shane Casey
Turning to the problem of driver visibility, i.e. range of vision, the voluntary attachment of mirrors or parking cameras by farm operators is suggested by the report.
The issue of machine maintenance is simply countered by stressing to farmers the need to service vehicles, underlining the importance of elements such as properly working brakes and lights.
Finally, the remedy of a renewed focus on driver training and an emphasis on driver alertness was put forward, regarding the factor of operator behaviour.
These priority actions should, according to the report, make public roads a safer place when using agricultural machinery.
Image source: Shane Casey
