Harvest time is upon us. For those of us living and working in rural communities, that means an increase of farm equipment on rural roads and highways as farmers move equipment from one field to another. Many of these tractors and harvesting machines will travel at speeds no greater than 25 miles per hour. Plus, they require additional space on the roads.
Curt Blades, Senior VP of the Association of Equipment Managers offers the following three tips for rural road safety throughout the harvest season.
- Increase your awareness. Know that farm equipment is on the road this time of year. Drive slowly and give them the space they require for the safety of everyone on the road.
- Drive predictably. Most farmers understand it can be frustrating to drive slower on rural roads. Signaling that you intend to pass them allows them to give you the opportunity. It only works, though, if they can predict your intention to do so. If you can’t see their mirrors or inside the cabs, they likely cannot see your vehicle.
- Exercise patience. Most farmers will move over to provide a clearer passage for you to pass when it is safe for you to do so. Allow them the opportunity to do so and be courteous until the opportunity arises.
These harvest safety tips will help improve your safety while driving on rural roads during this critical season for local food supplies and local economies.
Safety Tips for Farm Equipment Operators
Farmers will be spending more time on the road during your busy harvest season. This often includes using farm equipment that is larger than the average lane and doesn’t move as fast as other vehicles on the road. With that in mind, the following driving tips will help improve rural road safety for everyone on the roads this fall.
- Make sure your safety markings are visible, bright, and unobstructed.
- Check that all safety lights, including your flashing warning lights, are fully functional.
- Know the width of the roads you’re traveling on, including space between guardrails, fencing, and signage.
- Always carry a fully charged cell phone with you in case of emergencies.
- Be mindful of the weather and the possibility of debris or obstacles in the road.
- Make sure you have sufficient height clearance (from branches, signage, and even covered bridges) for your equipment and any trailers you’re towing.
While many of these tips are common sense types of tips and may be second nature for you, it never hurts to have a reminder as the harvest season begins.
Safety Tips for Rural Drivers
Harvest season is a great time to hit the roads and check out the beautiful scenery of falling leaves and a sea of color. Rural roads are fast favorites for fans of fall foliage. Before you hit the roads, however, there are a few essential driving tips for this time of year you need to be mindful of, including the following.
- Don’t drive drowsy. Be alert and prepared for whatever surprises come your way.
- Don’t get distracted by the scenery. Always pay attention to what’s going on ahead of you on the road.
- Maintain a safe distance between you and other cars and farm equipment on the road.
- Be mindful of farm equipment drivers signaling turns or waving you on to pass.
- Never pass if it is not absolutely safe to do so.
- Pay attention to what’s going on ahead of the machinery in front of you, especially the potential for oncoming farm equipment that may require additional space on the road.
It is always best to be patient and courteous when sharing roads with farm equipment, especially during harvest season when this is a more frequent occurrence. If you do happen to have a collision be sure to file a claim with your insurance as soon as possible after confirming that all parties involved in the accident are safe.
