A tractor that was drawing a trailer loaded with bales of straw struck a bridge in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, recently.

Members of An Garda Siochana posted an image of the incident on Facebook over the weekend. Thankfully, no one was hurt, the post added.

Gardai advised road users to always check the height of loads and to be aware of restrictions. They also urged the public to contact them if they see any unstable loads.

A number of bales were knocked from the trailer as the tractor tried to pass under the bridge – which has maximum height of just over 4.5m.

Unsecured or improperly secured loads pose a serious safety risk and should always be secured so that they cannot move or fall from the vehicle, according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

The RSA insists that all loads must be secured even if the vehicle is only travelling a short distance or at low speeds. A load must also not drag on the surface of the road, so as to cause damage to the road or to be liable to cause danger, it added.

Operators or drivers should employ a load restraint method suitable to the load being carried, according to the RSA.

Load security is not just the sole responsibility of the vehicle driver. Employers, vehicle owners, drivers and loading and unloading staff all have a role to play in ensuring loads are secure, it said.

Collision and hay spill on major motorway

Last week, a large load of hay bales came crashing down onto a busy motorway following a collision in Co. Kildare.

The incident occurred on the M7 Dublin-Limerick motorway last Wednesday morning (January 31), according to multiple reports.

hay M7 motorway

Image source: 4X4 Off Road Ireland Facebook page

According to AA Roadwatch, the trailer shed its load on the M7 northbound road between Junction 12 (Newbridge) and Junction 11 – the merge for the M9 Dublin-Waterford motorway.

Occurring on the northbound route on a busy Wednesday morning, the incident blocked the route while the debris of bales and hay were cleared.

According to AA Roadwatch, both northbound lanes reopened about an hour after the incident was reported.