THE TRAGEDIES in Clonmel and Cashel have brought home yet again how dangerous our roads can be as a number of people will be laid to rest this week.
An advanced tractor course for young drivers held in Kilmallock Mart aims to save lives and make the roads a safer place, said John Macnamara, one of the organisers.
Sixteen boys and four girls, aged between 16 and 20, took part in the pilot initiative over a day in Kilmallock Mart. As it was oversubscribed, a second event will take place at the end of September.
Mr Macnamara said farmers’ sons and daughters are well used to driving tractors at home but being out on the road is a different story.
“We hope they are safer and more careful drivers after the course. They have super knowledge - it is in their own hands now and we hope they put it into practice. We hope our roads are a safer place because of the course,” said Mr Macnamara, a dairy farmer in Knockainey.
The course was very well-supported. It was backed by North, East and West Kerry Development Agency who have considerable experience running similar events. GVM Marts and Kerry Group came on board as did FRS who provided tractor skills training.
Geary's Garage, Kilmeedy kindly provided two tractors and a dump trailer, while Breen’s Farm Machinery, Cashel, sent a mechanic.
The course was divided into practical driving lessons with Mr Macnamara and Martin Brosnan, of FRS; tractor maintenance with Kevin Larkin, of Breen’s; first aid with Debbie Carroll; watching Health and Safety Authority videos, and a hard-hitting presentation from Bruff-based Garda Mark O’Mahony. Each section was run simultaneously with two taking part in each.
Mr Macnamara said the feedback was very positive, particularly that it was hands-on and not one person driving a tractor and nine people watching on.
“For example, there was one with me backing a tractor and dumper. At the same time, Martin Brosnan, of FRS, had the other young person in a tractor with a slurry tank on the back and got them to stop suddenly. Nobody was watching them,” said Mr Macnamara.
Interestingly, he said all 20 got off the tractor the wrong way - forwards instead of backwards. The boys and girls came from across the county and as far west as Templeglantine.
Macra president Elaine Houlihan also spoke to the attendees and stressed how fortunate they were to have a course of this calibre being run.
If any of the youngsters thought they knew it all then a demonstration involving a PTO shaft stopped them in their tracks.
“We had a mannequin full of straw to show what could happen if a loose bit of clothing gets caught up in the PTO. In a second the straw was in bits. It was frightening,” said Mr Macnamara.
There are a limited number of places left for the advanced tractor driving course in September. Parents are asked to email [email protected] to register their young drivers.
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