THE RURBAN FRINGE

Driving With Farmers

Posted on | May 6, 2009 | No Comments

tractorsignSpring has been relatively slow to arrive in my neck of the woods, but that hasn’t stopped the area’s farmers from getting ready for the growing season … a fact recently reinforced when I followed a fellow moving his machinery from farm-to-field.

Soon, rural roads will be bustling with activity as farmers head out to their fields, making it important for drivers and farmers to use caution and common sense while travelling.

Drivers should remember:

  • Anticipate that, between April and November, farm equipment will be on the roads.
  • Slow down if you see a slow-moving vehicle sign.  The sign is an orange triangle attached to vehicles moving at speeds of under 40 kilometres or 25 miles per hour.
  • Use caution when passing farm vehicles, and don’t pass if your view, or the view of oncoming vehicles, is blocked.
  • Farm equipment is wide, heavy and noisy.  Don’t assume the farmer knows you’re there.  Before attempting to pass, honk your vehicle’s horn to alert the farmer.
  • Never assume a farm vehicle that pulls to the right side of the road is going to turn right, or that it is okay to pass.  Due to the size of some farm equipment, the farmer must move to the right before making a wide left turn.  Look for light and hand signals that might alert you the farmer is turning.
  • If equipment if larger than the travel lanes, and you cannot pass safely, stop and let the equipment pass, then continue on your way.

Farmers should remember:

  • Before heading out, check all equipment to ensure it is operating properly.
  • Always keep slow-moving vehicle signs free of dirt, and replace reflective material as needed.
  • Mark the edges of all equipment with reflective material to increase visibility.  Since reflective material on tractors may be blocked by the towed equipment, edge all implements rather than just the tractor.
  • Install mirrors on older equipment for greater visibility of motorists.
  • Ride with tractor lights on, but turn off rear spot lights when travelling on roadways, as they can be mistaken for headlights.
  • When roadway travel is necessary, avoid rush hours and bad weather.  Whenever possible, try not to drive before sunrise and after sunset.
  • Be courteous and pull off the road when it is safe to allow traffic to pass.

At the risk of sounding like a public service announcement, I admit I’ve been frustrated at being stuck in traffic and at driving at reduced speeds when behind farm machinery … but understand that farmers need access to their fields to do their job, just like anyone else.  In many areas, it’s no surprise that population growth and increases in development have led to changes in traffic and driving behaviour of both motorists and farmers; changes that need to be acknowledged.

We all share the road … let’s continue to do so, safely.

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Category: Agriculture
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