Common sense required when you see stock on roads
Stock on roads can result in tragedy if the risk is not taken seriously, Chris Lewis says. Ignoring the risk of stock on/ near roads is foolish and can often be the difference between avoiding an accident.
Stock on roads are extremely unpredictable and can cause accidents that are sometimes fatal.
When it comes to stock and public roads, there is an elevation of risk and likewise responsibility for both the farmer and the road users. Unfortunately, I have been witness to the tragedy that occurs when this risk is not taken seriously.
Stock on roads are extremely unpredictable and can cause accidents that are sometimes fatal. The most important thing to do if you see stock on roads or a compromised gate or fence is to alert the nearest farmer and/or animal control through the local council.
Whilst farmers are constantly driving through paddocks checking on stock and their fences and gates, sometimes a broken fence or loose gate can be missed.
This is where the public or drivers can be of huge help to the farmer by letting them know. It is a horrific thing to witness an avoidable accident when people have decided to turn the other cheek or the right people have not informed in time.
The flip side of the coin is the disregard some drivers have for the hazards on rural roads. Regardless of where you are it is important that people drive to the conditions. I believe there needs to better education from the police on the risks of driving on rural roads.
We see some fantastic campaigns on drink driving, speeding and holiday road tolls, it would be great to see some targeted at those using some of our perilous rural roads. Ignoring the risk of stock on/near roads is foolish and can often be the difference between avoiding an accident.
The law is reasonably clear when it comes to farmer’s responsibilities, be it fencing through the Animals Law Reform Act 1989 or moving stock under a local council bylaw. But the real solution lies in a joint effort of farmers remaining vigilant with managing fences and stock, and police better educating drivers about showing caution and curtesy on rural roads. Driving like a bat out of hell at stock being moved along roads is asking for trouble.
There have been cases where motorists have crashed through a farmer’s fence and left the scene without telling anyone.
Consequently, stock have got out onto the road and either caused serious accidents or chaos for other drivers.
If this was or is you, it is important to fix the fence as soon as possible and/or let the farmer know. When the farmer is at fault they are liable and equally so if the motorist is responsible they need to be accountable. A boundary fence is very expensive to fix, initially at $10-$12 a metre to build the repairs can cost more as it is more labour intensive to fix.
As a community, we can prevent unnecessary accidents by ensuring the integrity of roadside fences, driving to the conditions and reporting any loose stock, open gates or broken fences to the relevant farmer or Animal Control.
All you need to do is pull into the nearest driveway or dial the local council. Doing nothing could cost someone their life; that phone call or extra time you take to inform the farmer could make all the difference.
Chris Lewis is Federated Farmers Waikato provincial president.