09/06/2024
Attention, Attention ⚠️‼️
With hay season still in session and farming a year-round profession, it is crucial to be on the lookout for tractors and other farm equipment being transported. Here are a few tips to keep yourself, and the farmers you’re sharing the road with, safe.
1. Read Signage
Did you know there are specific signs to indicate Slow-Moving Vehicles? These signs are triangular in shape and are typically orange or yellow. When driving near farm equipment, look for these signs and take it as your cue to slow down.
2. Pass Legally and With Caution
You know what they say, patience is a virtue. It is easy to become impatient when traveling behind slow vehicles, and even more so when these vehicles often cannot travel in excess of 20 mph. Therefore, it is critical to ensure any passing that occurs is done in a safe manner. This means in the correctly lined portions of the roadway and not on hills or in curves where sight is limited.
3. Flying by is a No Go
Flying past any vehicle stopped on the roadway is dangerous. The same goes for slow moving vehicles. Moving with caution is important to the safety of everyone in the area. Additionally, many pieces of equipment are incredibly top heavy and/or lighter than a traditional vehicle and air turbulence can easily create a safety hazard.
4. Watch for Wide Loads
Some pieces of equipment can be quite large and ensuring a safe clearance from these vehicles when passing is incredibly important. Reflective tape or other markers are often in place on the equipment to mark the edges of the equipment or vehicle.
5. Watch the Farmer
When turning or allowing motorists to pass, the farmer operating the equipment will indicate their intentions with hand signals. Doing this allows for safety in turning and other maneuvers needed for the farm equipment.
Don’t believe us? Or simply think we are being overly cautious? Look for yourself and remember these are our friends and family members operating this equipment.
https://www.fbfs.com/learning-center/share-the-road
https://www.farmprogress.com/farm-life/road-safety-tips-for-motorists-and-farm-equipment-drivers
http://www.rockfordmutual.com/blog/sharing-road-farm-equipment-top-5-safety-considerations
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