Tractor course to help save lives at Limerick mart

AN ADVANCED tractor course for young drivers could be the best three hours they ever spend, said John Macnamara, a dairy farmer from Knockainey and one of the organisers.

The course, which takes place at Kilmallock Mart on Thursday, August 17, has been organised following a number of tragedies involving young people driving farm machinery. Thursday is now full due to demand but register your interest for a future date by emailing tractorsafetylimerick@gmail.com

Mr Macnamara said farmers’ sons and daughters are well able to do general farm work but they have very little experience of driving on the roads, or the weight of a slurry tank or trailer full of silage. Plus, the speed tractors are able to travel nowadays has vastly increased compared to a generation ago.

“We want to make sure they have that information. What happens when you have to stop suddenly? What is around the next bend? You don’t know,” said Mr Macnamara.

The event is backed by North, East and West Kerry Development Agency who have considerable experience running similar events.

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GVM Marts and Kerry Group are supporting this pilot programme and FRS training is providing the tractor skills training.

Geary's Garage, Kilmeedy is kindly providing two tractors and a dump trailer, while Breen’s Farm Machinery, Cashel, are sending one of their mechanics.

The half day event will cover practical driving lessons, tractor maintenance, first aid, Health and Safety Authority videos, along with a presentation from Bruff-based Garda Mark O’Mahony.

Mr Macnamara said it will be broken up into different stations, run simultaneously, and stresses small groups at each one to maximise the learning experience.

“We will have the driving instructor give a hands-on demonstration. A mechanic will go through day-to-day tractor maintenance. Garda O’Mahony will talk about speeding, tax, insurance, being on their phone, and drugs and alcohol. First aid responder instructor Debbie Carroll will talk about what to do if a bit of steel or glass gets into your hand, what happens if a drop of oil or petrol goes into your eye. She will get them to do it as well,” said Mr Macnamara.

The last station will be showing the participants videos of accidents from the HSA.

“We’re encouraging parents to register their children - we’re not letting it up to individuals themselves to register. It is for boys and girls aged between 16 and 20.

“We are also appealing to contractors to let their young tractor drivers off for three hours because it could be the best three hours they ever spend,” said Mr Macnamara, who hopes that the pilot programme will expand further.

“If it takes off what we would like to do is go into TY classes in secondary schools,” said Mr Macnamara.

But it all commences next Thursday, August 17 in Kilmallock Mart.