Apr 10, 2018 2 min read

Motorists: Watch for farm vehicles

As farmers return to their fields to begin planting crops, and in observance of Rural Roads Safety Week (April 8-15), I encourage motorists to be aware of tractors, farm trucks, wagons and other large equipment on rural roads.

To the distracted or impatient motorist, farm vehicles can pose a threat when safe driving practices are not observed. Reduce your speed when driving on roads where you might encounter large farm machinery. Slow down immediately when you see the Slow Moving Vehicle sign – an orange triangle with a red border – attached to farm vehicles. A car traveling 55 mph encountering a tractor moving at 15 mph will close a gap the length of a football field between the vehicles in just five seconds.

To accommodate motorists, drivers of slow-moving farm vehicles often pull onto the shoulder of a paved roadway to give other motorists a better view of road conditions and enough room to pass. Keep in mind that if the shoulder is soft, wet or steep, the farmer cannot move aside because it could cause the equipment to roll over. If the farmer is unable to safely pull his or her vehicle off the road, and you feel you must pass, do so with caution.

By working together, we can make travel safe for both motorists and farmers.

George Wherry

President of Washington County Farm Bureau