With area farmers starting to harvest their crops, Wellington County OPP want drivers to think about sharing the road with farm vehicles.
An increasing number of farmers are operating from more than one site, which increases the amount of time farm vehicles are on the road.
With farm vehicles travelling 30 to 40km/h and motorists travelling 80km/h or more on the same road, OPP is offering the following safety tips:
– recognize slow moving vehicles by the orange triangle and use caution;
– realize that farm vehicles travel around 35km/h. Slow down when farm equipment is seen on the road and be prepared to stop;
– watch for left turns. Not all farm vehicles have turn signals – watch for farmer’s signalling a turn using the same hand signals as a bicycle rider;
– be aware that farmers with long or broad equipment sometimes need to make a wide turn. If a tractor swings right, be careful, it may be starting a left turn;
– the farmer may be unable to pull off the road due to equipment weight or shoulder issues. Wait for a safe opportunity to pass;
– leave a wide berth when passing. Some farm equipment takes up more than one lane and some pieces of equipment have pieces protruding that can be hard to see; and
– when finished passing, don’t stop or slow down in front of the farm vehicle. Large equipment can’t brake as quickly as a car.
OPP urge motorists to be courteous with farm vehicle operators and treat them as they would any other vehicle driver on the road.
Aggressive driving isn’t just unsafe, it’s against the law, police say. They add that aggressive drivers should be reported to police.
