Watch out for slow moving implements on the road.
Neil Cates, Livestock Agent
Fall is just around the corner. Haying, silage chopping, field work and
spraying are currently in motion with wheat planting and fall harvest quickly
approaching. This means there is an increased presence of
farm machinery on the roads.
As a driver, one should be aware of the increased amount of
farm implement traffic on the roads. Be
patient when following slow moving implements.
A farmer understands that your trip is being delayed, so he or she will
pull off of the road at the first available safe location to allow you to
pass. Don’t assume that the farmer can
immediately move aside to let you pass.
Road shoulders may be soft, wet or steep, and this can cause a farm
vehicle to tip.
Some farm equipment may be wider than the lane of travel. If you approach a piece of wide farm
equipment traveling in the opposite direction and you cannot pass safely,
stop. Then pull off the road to a
location that will allow the equipment to pass you.
Don’t assume the farmer knows you’re there. Most operators of farm equipment will
regularly check to see if there’s traffic behind them. However, the driver must spend most of the
time looking ahead to keep the equipment safely on the road and watch for
oncoming traffic. Do not assume that the
driver knows where your vehicle is. When
approaching a slow moving implement, slow down to their speed before
passing. Do not assume that a farm
vehicle that pulls to the right side of the road is going to turn right or is
letting you pass. Due to the size of some
farm implements, the farmer must execute wide left-hand turns. If you are unsure, check the operator’s hand
signals and check the left side of the road for gates, driveways or any place a
farm vehicle might turn. Unfortunately,
just because the implement is equipped with turn signals, does not mean they
will be used.
Be cautious around the dusk hours. With the sun going down earlier and earlier
as we progress into fall, more implements will be traveling during this period
of low visibility. Be on the look-out of
flashing amber lights and reflectors.
Be aware of and patient with farm equipment on
the road to ensure a safe trip for you and farmers this fall.
