Police: Majority of A-tractors not approved

- When we check A-tractors, 80 to 90 percent are not approved, says Günter Ruchatz, who is a police inspector at the traffic police in Kalmar County.

Last week, targeted efforts were made by the county's traffic police in two municipalities and a total of twelve A-tractors were checked. Ten of them had ten deficiencies that led to a driving ban and overhaul order.

- Then there are road safety deficiencies on the vehicle and often also that it goes too fast, then it must be inspected again. They are allowed to walk a maximum of 30 kilometers per hour and often they go faster than that, says Günter Ruchatz.

This is not an unusual figure, says Günter Ruchatz, but a large proportion of the county's A-tractors have been manipulated to be able to drive faster than the maximum permissible speed.

- It is a crime that they are guilty of, namely illegal driving. Most drivers are under the age of 18 and we contact the parents when we stop them. Parents often own the vehicle and are required to ensure it is road-safe and in the condition it should be. The parents can then also be guilty of a crime; permitting illegal driving, he says.

This weekend, a traffic accident occurred with an A-tractor where one person died. It is still unclear what caused the accident.