Driver behaviour on country roads

Sir, – Seán Ó Briain alludes to driver behaviour on country roads and agricultural vehicles and makes a reasonable point about understanding and respect for vehicle drivers on narrow country roads (Letters, July 18th).

Even the briefest of conversations with agricultural contractors and their drivers will give an astonishing insight into the hostility and abuse these drivers are subjected to on a daily basis, with many of these young men being threatened and in some cases assaulted in their cabs by irate, mostly male, motorists. Motorists refuse to pull in to gateways, etc, to allow them pass, meeting nose to nose and expecting these large tractors with huge machines or towing loaded trailers to reverse to find some space for egress.

This often leads to the classic stand-off where a machine driver is unable to reverse and the car driver refuses to do so. Then further vehicles approach from the rear to exacerbate the situation as it develops into an impasse worthy of UN intervention for resolution. All easily avoided by a little consideration and understanding. – Yours, etc,

TOMÁS FINN,