Farming
Mud on roads is a potential hazard Southland motorists need to be aware of.
Southland District Council roading contract manager Shaun Holland advised extra care should be taken when driving during winter as ice and mud on the roads could make conditions extremely slippery.
He urged farmers to be conscious of the issue and play their part.
“Farmers, you can help keep our roads safe by avoiding as much as possible dragging mud from your paddocks on to the road when you’ve finished feeding out or harvesting,” he said.
“The mud creates a treacherous surface when it gets wet or icy, putting lives and property at risk for the unsuspecting driver.”
At present Southland District Council’s contractors have been dealing with excess mud on District roads. This comes at a cost which Council will look at recouping.
It is also an offence under Southland District Council’s Roading Bylaw 2008 to permit the depositing of debris on any road. “Debris” means any refuse, rubbish, animal remains or faeces, glass, metal, garbage, dirt, filth, rubble, ballast, stones, earth, hedge trimmings or waste matter, or any other thing of a like nature.
Anyone found to have breached the bylaw is liable to a $20,000 fine and, where the breach continues, to a further fine not exceeding $50 for every day or part of a day during which the breach has continued.
“We appreciate that in our rural communities feeding out and harvesting are just part of the job, but please be mindful of the safety of others and don’t leave a dangerous mess on the road when you leave the paddock,” Holland said.