On the Gmina Warta Bolesławiecka website, the following message was recently published:

APPEAL TO FARMERS!!!

Due to ongoing fieldwork, we ask farmers to keep public and internal roads clean. Mud, soil and manure carried onto the road by tractors and agricultural machinery pose a serious threat to road safety.

Municipal officials added:

Before driving from the field onto the road, please clean the wheels of your machinery and tractors and remove any remaining soil or mud from the road.

A farmer who has contaminated the road is legally obliged to clean it immediately after finishing the work.

There are several real reasons why such an appeal is fully justified. Mud, soil or manure on the road can create very specific hazards for road traffic.

1. Very slippery road surface

Mud or wet soil on asphalt acts similarly to ice or wet leaves. Tires then have much less grip, which can lead to:

  • a longer braking distance
  • skidding while braking
  • loss of control of the vehicle in a bend.

Such places are particularly dangerous for motorcyclists and cyclists.

2. An unexpected change in road conditions

Drivers often do not expect mud on an asphalt road, especially away from the immediate vicinity of fields. Entering such a section suddenly can cause an abrupt skid because the driver will not have time to reduce speed.

3. Accident risk for two-wheeled vehicles

For motorcycles, scooters or bicycles, even a thin layer of mud can mean an immediate loss of grip and the vehicle tipping over.

4. Hazard at night and in bad weather

At night or during rain, mud on the road may be difficult to see. A driver may enter it at full speed without having time to react.

5. Mud spread by passing cars

If no one clears the contamination, passing cars spread the mud over a longer section of road. Over time, a slippery layer several dozen metres long may form.

6. Legal liability

Under the regulations, anyone who contaminates a public road is obliged to clean it immediately. In the event of an accident caused by leftover mud, the farmer may face civil or misdemeanor liability.