A farmer was transporting three adult cattle from one part of his farm to another on a journey not lasting more the 15 minutes. The cattle were in a livestock trailer behind a 4 wheel drive vehicle. On a safe stretch of road and at a safe speed, the driver lost control of the vehicle and it rolled over, fatally injuring the driver.
The Coroner’s report concluded that contributing factors to the accident included the fact that the trailer out-weighed the towing vehicle. This meant that when control was lost, the trailer was controlling the vehicle. The Coroner also identified that the cattle were not separated and a small amount of movement was possible, the cattle had moved to the back of the trailer and were not over the central axles. Additionally the incorrect tyre pressures were found to be a contributing factor.
The NFU is urging members to take extra care when loading livestock and to ensure that the load is within the plated weights of both the trailer and the towing capacity of the towing vehicle. The maximum towing weight can normally be found in the handbook or the specification sheet for the vehicle. The Vehicle Identification Plate (VIN plate) is usually found inside the door of the vehicle or under the bonnet and will show the gross train weight- this is the maximum weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer. For heavier loads consideration should be given to moving the livestock behind a tractor due the greater relative weight of the tractor.
Always make sure that trailers are roadworthy and that the tyres are inflated to the correct pressures, and always wear your seat belt- even when taking very short and familiar trips.