Manchester Police Stunned by Tractor Traveling at 62mph
Police in Greater Manchester were left astonished after a tractor was recorded speeding at 62mph, a velocity more typical of cars on motorways than agricultural machinery. This incident represents the most severe case of tractor speeding documented in the Manchester area, with the vehicle exceeding both the road limit and its own legal capabilities.
Exceeding Legal Limits by a Significant Margin
The tractor was captured traveling at 62mph in a 50mph zone, which is more than double the usual 25mph speed limit for such vehicles on UK roads. While some higher-spec tractors with improved suspension and road tyres can legally reach up to 40mph, this instance saw the machine going 12mph over the road limit and far beyond its permitted maximum speed.
Details of this alarming event emerged through a freedom of information request submitted by motoring firm Select Car Leasing. It stands as the highest recorded speed for a tractor or agricultural vehicle in the region over the past five years.
Wider Context of Tractor Speeding Across the UK
This Manchester case is not isolated. Across the UK, similar violations have been recorded:
- In the Midlands, West Mercia Police clocked a JCB doing 43mph in a 30mph zone in 2023, resulting in a £100 fixed penalty and three points for the driver.
- Devon and Cornwall saw five farm vehicles trigger speed cameras in 2025, with the worst offender recorded at 38mph in a 30mph zone.
- North Wales Police reported 18 tractors caught breaking 20mph limits since April 2024, including a New Holland tractor doing 32mph in a 20mph zone on the A548 in Flintshire in June 2024.
- North Yorkshire Police issued a £100 fine and three points to a tractor driver for reaching 39mph.
- Norfolk and Suffolk Police noted four tractors caught speeding since 2022.
Expert Concerns Over Safety and Compliance
Graham Conway, Managing Director at Select Car Leasing, expressed serious concerns about the incident. "Speed limits are there to protect us all - and they apply to tractors and other agricultural vehicles just as much as they do cars," he stated. "So it's concerning to see one tractor not just breaking the posted speed limit but traveling much quicker than logic suggests is possible."
Conway highlighted that many modern tractors are equipped with electronic speed limiters designed to ensure compliance with road regulations. "Our FOI suggests that software is being bypassed or disabled, which is concerning," he added, pointing to potential deliberate tampering that compromises public safety.
The sheer speed of 62mph for a tractor—a vehicle not built for such velocity—raises significant safety alarms. Its size and design make it cumbersome and difficult to control at high speeds, posing risks to both the driver and other road users. This incident underscores ongoing challenges in enforcing speed limits for agricultural vehicles and the need for stricter monitoring to prevent such dangerous behavior on Manchester's roads and beyond.
