Tractor pulled over by traffic police for driving on the motorway

Speeding vehicles, reversing along slip roads, overtaking on the inside, middle-lane hogs, even driving on the wrong carriageway into oncoming traffic – the police have seen it all.

So it came as no surprise to Greater Manchester Police traffic officers when they spotted a tractor tootling along the motorway with a trailer in tow. Highway Code rules expressly prohibit slow-moving vehicles and agricultural vehicles from using motorways. So following a low-speed pursuit, the tractor was escorted off the motorway so officers could have a few words with the driver.

However, when they checked the driver's credentials, they discovered they already had 9 points on their licence – and further checks revealed that one of the wheels on the tractor was defective and therefore illegal.

In a tweet posted on social media late on Tuesday night, Great Manchester Police stated: "Sighted this tractor, which is prohibited from driving on a motorway, being driven on a motorway. Further checks also revealed an illegal tyre. Vehicle prohibited, escorted off the network and driver already on 9pts reported for all offences."

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