The Road Safety Authority (RSA) launched a series of videos outlining the revised standards for agricultural vehicles, at the National Ploughing Championships this year.

The standards, which were announced last year, will apply to both new and existing vehicles from 1 January 2016.

The videos have been produced in association with the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA) and outline the key changes to the standards in the areas of Braking; Lighting and Visibility; Weights, Dimensions and Coupling; and Plating and Speed Rating.

The current standards have been in place for over 50 years and do not reflect the design capabilities of modern agricultural vehicles or their use by farmers and agricultural contractors. The videos bring to life the content of the RSA’s booklet, ‘Revised Standards for Agricultural Vehicles’ which was launched at last year’s Ploughing Championships.

The RSA has also released a new booklet entitled ‘Road safety advice and driver licencing rules for drawing light trailers’. It contains practical advice and guidance and is an essential reference for those involved in towing light trailers such as horse boxes and livestock trailers etc.

It is accompanied by a series of short information videos which are available to view on the RSA’s YouTube page – www.youtube.com/rsaireland Hard copies of this booklet will be distributed from the RSA Stand over the duration of the event; and the RSA is encouraging anybody who regularly draws a horse box or livestock trailer with their car, van or 4X4 to stop by and pick up a copy. RSA experts will also be on hand to answer queries.