Planning for safety

Planting season has started for area farmers, which means tractors and other equipment will travel on local roads alongside everyday motorists.

As activity on farms increases, so does the number of slow-moving farm equipment. Motorists and farm equipment operators alike should be aware of their surroundings and take extra caution to protect themselves from accidents and injuries.

A lack of awareness, such as not paying attention to a slow-moving vehicle, lighting or hand signals and trying to pass a slow-moving vehicle is a leading cause of collisions and deaths of farm equipment operators and motorists, according to a Mercer Soil and Water Conservation District news release.

Learning to be aware of road conditions, recognizing slow-moving vehicles and giving equipment operators plenty of room and respect is key to safe travel for everyone.

The most common accidents involving farm equipment and other vehicles occur when a slow-moving vehicle is making a left turn and another motorist begins to pass, according to the release.

Motorists can avoid this type of accident by watching for hand signals and not assuming the equipment's operator is turning right when it pulls to the right side of the road, the release stated.

Many drivers of large equipment need to turn right briefly before making a left-hand turn to give their equipment clearance, the release continued. A vehicle moving to the right slightly does not automatically mean the driver is letting a motorist pass.

Motorists can be mindful of their farming neighbors by watching for slow-moving vehicle signs, which are triangular fluorescent orange emblems bordered in red on each side. People should treat these signs like stop lights and slow down and be cautious.

Drivers should also be cautious when driving on hilly roads and during dusk, sunset and sunrise and slow down when they see flashing signals or turn signals on a slow-moving vehicle.

Motorists should pass with caution, even after checking the road in front of and behind them, and avoid pulling out in front of a slow-moving vehicle, according to the release. Farm equipment can't stop or slow down quickly.

Perhaps most importantly, drivers need to be patient. Most farm equipment can't travel faster than 25 mph, and it's difficult for equipment operators to move aside and allow motorists to pass, according to the release. When people spot a vehicle that isn't a car or truck, they should slow down right away and approach cautiously.

Farmers can also do their part to protect themselves and other motorists by driving defensively. Taking steps such as replacing worn or faded slow-moving vehicle signs, marking equipment with approved safety reflective tape and regularly inspecting and cleaning lights, reflective tape and signs is a good starting point, the release stated.

Farmers should use lights at all times when on the road, especially from sunset to sunrise. Avoiding driving between dusk and dawn whenever possible is even better, according to the release.

Allow extra time to turn and be courteous, the release suggested. Allowing approaching cars to pass before entering the road, staying alert for dips in the road and allowing time to pull over to let other vehicles pass when possible can help prevent accidents.

Producers should also use turn signals or hand signals and use extreme caution when making a wide left turn from the road.

By practicing these simple steps, drivers and equipment operators can ensure a happy and safe planting season for everyone traveling on local roads.