Harvester problem
Police tighten control on harvest traffic
Agricultural companies in the northern part of Noord-Holland have to take into account more frequent and stricter controls on agricultural traffic for this harvest. Both the local police force in the municipality of Hollands Kroon and the National Unit carry out checks.
The first companies in the Wieringermeer and the surrounding area have now received a fine. The amounts quickly add up to several hundred euros. A vehicle that is too high or too long is also classified as an economic offence. Most entrepreneurs can accept that loading a large head or losing grain results in a fine. The bottleneck is mainly the width of harvesters. A combine, potato or beet harvester is quickly wider than 3,50 meters. The police strictly enforce the width standard.
Dangerous situations
"In January, at the request of LTO Hollands Kroon, we held 2 information meetings about the control of agricultural traffic. The logical consequence is that we are now actively carrying out controls in this area," explains Meindert Wijnia. He is a community officer in the municipality and has Wieringerwerf as his base. "Information has been given about the rules and exemptions that are required. Accidents still occur every year. Our task is to improve safety. We still see spilled grain on roundabouts. This is life-threatening for a motorcyclist."
First warn then fine
According to Wijnia, whether a driver is ticketed immediately depends on the situation. "We have used a warning period, but now also hand out fines. That is what the local force does, but also the National Unit. The checks take place in consultation with them." The national traffic police, formerly the KLPD, are particularly fanatical in the region. Certified entrepreneurs inform Boerenbusiness.
The Hague recognizes the problem
Falling cargo can be prevented by, for example, covering. Wijnia recommends always loading 20 centimeters below the container edge. Machines that are too wide are another story. "Harvesters are a known problem with us", says the agent. "They have now concluded this in The Hague. The RDW is working on this. It is possible that machines wider than 3,5 meters will also be allowed in the future. This is already possible in the transport world."
Exemption worthless
If you drive a machine wider than 3,5 metres, Wijnia recommends that you still have an exemption. It shows that you have made an effort. Too often he comes across farmers who have no exemption at all. Despite the application, the paper is sometimes worthless. In case of violation, the exemption does not apply. It is calculated from 3 meters, not from 3,5 meters. This resulted in an involved contractor, whose combine was arrested, with a print of €310.
Several contractors have already experienced this. It's all their turn. According to them, a special exemption for wide transport is not workable. For example, a route exemption must be requested 4 days before transport. Moreover, B-roads are excluded. The alternative is a flatbed trailer and escort vehicles.
Cumela joins the conversation
Contractors sector organization Cumela is also familiar with the problem. "The RDW is working on one general counter for applying for all national exemptions," explains an employee. "Now the road authority has to arrange this itself. This is often already outsourced to the RDW." He does not dare say whether, with the establishment of the counter, an exemption wider than 1 meters will also be possible. A working group has been set up for the exemption policy, to which Cumela is also a member.
Cumela does not have a direct solution to the width problem either. "The police are well aware of the situation. Manufacturers can often supply the machine in the correct width. The wide tires are the problem. This means different tires or low-loader transport. If you still want to work on wide tires, you have to use the change yard."
License plate required
The sector organization is aware that the transport sector does have exemptions above 3,5 meters. "This exemption is linked to a registration number, which agriculture does not have. If you equip the machine with a registration number, then it is possible. The transport must then take place with a registered low-loader."
National checks possible
In practice, it means that contractors and farmers continue to transport their machines in hopes of blessing. Low-loader transport is not a real option for them. They take the chance of a big picture for granted. Whether other parts of the Netherlands will also have to deal with stricter controls this autumn, the police in Noord-Holland dare not say. That depends on the available manpower in the region.
Niels van der Boom
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