The Drive it Home campaign aims to:
- Educate YFC members on how to stay safe on rural roads and change attitudes so we all become better drivers.
- Create Drive it Home Champions who can promote safer driving in their local communities and peer groups.
NFU adviser Ben Ellis spoke to 50 young farmers at an event in Upton-upon-Severn about legal driving ages and licences, braking requirements, lights, mud on the road and responsibilities under health and safety legislation. The event also included presentations from the Worcestershire Safer Roads Partnership and a health and safety hazard spotting exercise.
Many young farmers will be surprised at the amount of legislation that already applies to them even at a young age. Many are surprised to find that in order to tow a trailer behind a telehandler (where it has the correct attachments and is taxed to do so) a +E category of driving licence is required and the minimum driving ages are either 18 (over 3.5t) or 21 (over 7.5t) depending upon the weight of the vehicle.
NFU student membership is free to anyone studying a full or part time agricultural, horticultural, land-based or related course at university or college. Membership includes business guides on many transport law related areas and access to a free technical help line NFU CallFirst. Student members can also receive 20% off trailer training for +E Category licences for towing trailers behind utility vehicles and telehandlers.
You can find out more about student membership here.
You can find out more about the young farmers drive it home campaign here.