On the Road Again....

With all the gentle rains, mild and unseasonably warm temperatures, farmers in my area are getting the itch to get into the field and plant that corn!   So keep in mind as you head out on the roads this spring to be patience with our farmers.  I expect to see a lot of machinery movement in our area – tractors, anhydrous tanks, fertilizer carts, plows, discs, cultivators, planters, grain trucks, trailers, etc.

Be aware of your surrounding and make good driving decisions.  Farmers don’t like traveling on busy highways, and we know it backs up traffic – if there was an easy alternative we would take it.
 But in the meanwhile we would appreciate it if you would slow down, give us plenty of room, and when passing as the chance safely presents itself – abstain from rude gestures.  - Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here are some tips for traveling safely on rural roads!

– The farm vehicle operator may not be able to see around the equipment, so don’t assume that the operator knows you are approaching. Similar to semi-trucks many use large extended mirrors. When a driver follows too closely, the vehicle isn’t visible to the farm equipment operator. Keep a distance back.

– A majority of farm equipment and motor vehicle crashes occur when the farm equipment operator slows down to turn left and the motorist moves to pass. When you pass farm machinery, make sure the driver is not about to turn left. Before you decide to pass, look for driveways into farms or fields where the farm vehicle operator could be turning.

– Farm equipment operators are not required to drive on the road shoulders. If safe, the operator may pull off to allow traffic to pass.

– Wide equipment may extend into the oncoming traffic lane. Also, make sure the road is wide enough and watch for roadside obstacles such as mailboxes that might cause the equipment operator to drift to the left.

– Farm machinery crossing the road moves slowly and may be pulling equipment that will take longer to clear the road. Don’t try to pass on the left as the equipment may swing out differently than you expect.
In addition, make sure that you have enough time and distance to pass safely. It is illegal to pass farm equipment in no passing zones.


Source - (http://fyi.uwex.edu/news/2011/04/22/watch-for-slow-moving-farm-equipment-on-rural-roads/)