Rural roads safety warning

With spring officially beginning this weekend, Tasmania Police is reminding motorists to be patient on rural roads over the coming months.

Acting Inspector Martin Parker said there would be an increase of heavy vehicles and slow-moving machinery on rural roads during spring and summer.

"We’re expecting to see more tractors, harvesters, trucks and other large agricultural equipment on public streets and roads, particularly in rural areas," he said.

"Motorists driving on rural roads should allow extra time for their journeys and we ask drivers to be patient and considerate when driving behind heavy machinery.

"In Tasmania, approximately one-third of fatal and serious crashes occur on rural roads.

"Last financial year (2023-24) police issued 16,370 traffic infringements for offences on rural roads and in country towns.

"We will continue to conduct targeted and random patrols on rural roads to curb high-risk behaviours like speeding, drink driving, inattention and not wearing seatbelts, because we know these factors overwhelmingly contribute to serious and fatal crashes on our roads."

"We also encourage members of the public to report dangerous driving and traffic offending to police on 131 444, or Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.

"You can also report dangerous driving through our website.”

Langmaid Harvesting’s Joshua Langmaid said as an agricultural contractor and having to drive heavy agricultural machinery on country roads, he haad seen some dangerous driver behaviour in the vicinity of heavy vehicles.

"I’ve seen people overtaking on blind corners, drivers excessively sounding their horns at machinery drivers, tailgating and obscene gestures being directed at drivers,’’ Mr Langmaid said.

"For everyone’s safety, please be patient and if you see flashing beacons and an 'oversize load ahead' sign, be prepared to slow down and move to the side of the road if necessary.”

TasFarmers’ Jacqueline Shipton said agricultural workers were driving machinery on rural roads every day throughout Tasmania.

"These tractors, headers and trucks are their workplace," she said.

"We ask all members of the community to keep these workplaces safe, and to display consideration and patience when driving on rural roads in Tasmania."