Submission on Draft Land Transport Rule, Agricultural Vehicles ...

4.14 Federated Farmers acknowledges that the alternative hazard panel configuration will
still have to consistent with the standard set by the rule and that they can be no
smaller than 1200 square mm in size. Also Proposal B the ‘painting of a vehicle
overhang’ greater than four metres provides an alternative to displaying hazard
panels.
4.15 However, the Federation believes some further amendments need to be made to
Clause 6.7 (3) of Vehicle Mass and Dimension Rule 2002 (VDAM) and the
provisions of the Vehicle Lighting Rule 2004.
4.16 Presently these rules require vehicles over 2.5 meters in width to be fitted at the
widest point with flags during the day or to be fitted with retro-reflective hazard
panels at night. These vehicles must also be fitted with a white or amber marker
light forward facing and red rearward facing at each corner of the vehicle closest to
the widest point, i.e. on the hazard panel.
4.17 To require the fitment of marker lights in addition to standard tail lights on all vehicles
and implements and provide a power source would impose significant compliance
costs on our members and would not be durable, practical or provide tangible road
safety benefits.
4.18 The majority of the tractors in New Zealand have a width of 2.5 - 2.8 meters across
the outside of the rear tyres and the bulk of those tractors are not fitted with either
hazard panels or outline marker lighting. The safety of these vehicles on the road is
a factor of their speed differential, rather than width and compliance with this rule is
currently very low (see Pic 1).
4.19 When a tractor is fitted with hazard panels, they are then made redundant when an
implement is fitted that is wider than the tractor; which must in turn be fitted with
hazard panels at its widest point, thereby creating a duplication of panels. This point
is illustrated in two of the photographs below (Pic 2-3) provided by one of the
Federation’s members.
Pic 1 - A tractor where a hazard panel is legally required, but has little benefit.
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