Fine shines light on beacon ban

Mr Eastern was following his dairy herd on his John Deere 'utility' tractor when he was stopped by a police officer regarding a fitted flashing orange light.

He was then issued with a $300 fine for having the safety light fitted. Mr Eastern said the fine came as a surprise to him, prompting him to investigate further.

"I think most farmers have no idea," he said.

"Farmers thought they were doing the right thing, having a beacon light, and it's illegal on vehicles under two metres wide," he said.

When questioned on the matter, the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure noted that Section 115 of the Road Traffic (Light Vehicle Standards) Rules 2013 states "only a special-use vehicle may be fitted with one or more flashing yellow lights".

Special use vehicles are listed as including tow trucks, vehicle breakdown service vehicles, power-drive lawnmowers, animal rescue vehicles and vehicles used by primary producers moving stock between paddocks.

Vehicles that weigh more than 4.5 tonnes and are more than 2.5m in width fall under the Heavy Vehicle National Regulations, which permits them to be fitted with one or more flashing light.

John Deere marketing manager Steve Wright said the company had an emphasis on safety.

"John Deere puts safety as a priority in all of our equipment," he said.

"We build and design tractors that meet national standards of safety and performance."

Mr Eastern said the light was factory-fitted on his 74-kilowatt tractor, which is less than two years old and is under the width criteria to be able to have a beacon.

"So you need it when towing but otherwise it is illegal to have it permanently," he said.

He questioned why the vehicle could be registered with the light in place if it was illegal, but was more concerned about the law barring the use of what he considered an important safety feature.