A teenager has been summoned to court for allegedly driving a tractor while underage and using his phone.

Lincolnshire Police observed the 16-year-old allegedly driving the vehicle on a road that was not suitable for the weight of the hay bales being transported.

Police also said he was too young to drive such a heavy load.

Inspector Paul Baxter of Lincolnshire Police’s Rural Police Unit (RPU) said cases of poor driving were rare in the local farming community.

He told BBC Radio Humberside that people aged 16 and over are allowed to drive certain tractors, but that for such heavy loads the driver must be 17 years old and have the appropriate driving licence.

He said: “If any of this load comes loose, it could hit another road user and force them to swerve. The risk is catastrophic.”

“People have been seriously injured and lost their lives due to inadequate cargo.”

The vehicle was spotted on the A15 near Market Deeping on Tuesday.

Insp Baxter added that farmers “work incredibly hard and long hours” during the harvest season, but everyone should still take care to ensure their loads are safe.

The boy has received a court summons. If he is found guilty of the offense, he faces a fine and points on his license.

Insp Baxter said it was the responsibility of the teenager, not the farm he was working on, to ensure he did not break the law and that the load was secure and properly tied down.

“Putting this person in this situation is irresponsible. However, every driver, regardless of age, must have a driving licence and have passed a test.”

He added that the “overwhelming majority” of farmers in the municipality are “responsible” and “load their vehicles properly”.

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