A young farmer has been fined by the police after he was caught 'chatting away' on his mobile phone while driving a tractor pulling a rake.
Cumbria Police has issued a warning to farmers following the incident, which happened on 27 May.
The farmer was issued a £200 fine and six points on his licence, Cumbria Roads Police said on Twitter.
Young farmer seen chatting away on his mobile phone. 6 points and £200 fine on its way to him. #MSGHurrican #1807 pic.twitter.com/X7GNqZt4La
— Cumbria Roads Police (@CumbriaRoadsPol) May 27, 2020
“Young farmer seen chatting away on his mobile phone. Six points and a £200 fine on its way to him,” the force said.
NFU deputy president, Stuart Roberts responded to the incident, reminding farmers not to use phones while driving machinery.
Something I have mentioned before. Very simple - Don’t use a phone when driving a vehicle https://t.co/3E8wRAWmMl
— Stuart Roberts (@HertsFarmer) May 27, 2020
"Something I have mentioned before. Very simple - Don’t use a phone when driving a vehicle," he said on Twitter.
Jamie Smart, who operates NFU Scotland’s Agricultural Vehicles Helpline, has also urged farmers to keep phones 'out of reach' or run the risk of a heavy fine.
“It is an offence to use a handheld mobile device whilst driving whether that be to make a call, read a text or any other reason," he said.
"If you must use your phone when driving, then use a hands-free system and keep the number of calls and your call time to a minimum."
