It seems we're all in a hurry these days. But driving is difficult and dangerous enough these days with people talking on cell phones, texting, listening to GPS voices, and kids watching DVDs or playing video games as they ride along. There is really no reason to take your life-or the lives of your passengers or of those in oncoming vehicles into your hands and try to make a dangerous pass of an SMV.
With harvest season coming upon us, farmers are eager to get out into their fields and start harvesting their corn and soybeans. One aspect of safety around farms applies to both city and rural folk alike - slow moving vehicles (SMVs). Just as with spring planting, farmers will be out driving large, lumbering equipment on rural roads. Sometimes, this can be frustrating to drivers in a hurry to reach their destination. But it's crucial for those driving behind SMVs to remain patient. Sight lines are not often clear on rural roads and passing an SMV can be extremely risky. It's best to just wait for the vehicle to reach its destination and make its turn, rather than attempt a dangerous pass into oncoming traffic.
McHenry County Farm Bureau would like to share these driving tips with motorists in an attempt to avoid accidents.
• Always be on the watch for farm equipment on rural roads.
• When you see machinery ahead, apply the brakes. In five seconds, a car traveling 55 mph will close the length of a football field on a combine traveling 15mph.
• Recognize the Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem, a reflective red and orange triangle mounted near the center of the rear of every piece of equipment designed to travel at low speeds. This is a warning to immediately slow down.
• Pay attention to the farmer's hand signals and flashing lights. Expect them to make wide left turns when they move to the right side of the road near intersections and field entrances.
• After passing, please leave plenty of space between you and machinery before you move back to the right lane.
• Only pass in safe, designated passing zones. Never assume the farmer knows you are behind the machinery or that you want to pass. If you can't see their mirrors they can't see you.
• If you can't pass, just enjoy the ride. Following at 20 mph for six minutes is the equivalent of waiting at two stoplights.
Please remember farmers are growing food for you and your family!
Tips for the Farmers
Share the road safely with motorists.
Do everything possible to alert motorists to the presence of your farm equipment and slow travel speed.
• Plan travel to avoid rush hours, bad weather, the busiest roads, and the time before daylight and after dark.
• Be obvious to motorists by proper use of reflective Slow Moving Vehicle emblems on any implement of husbandry operated on public roadways. It's the law!
• Use reflective marking tape and reflectors at the extremities of equipment.
• Turn on hazard lights mounted on farm equipment and turn off field work lights for all roadway travel.
• Install mirrors that are wide enough to see what is following you.
• Always use turn signals to indicate plans to turn in to fields and driveways.
• Be aware of traffic-oncoming, in front of you, and behind you.
• If road and shoulder conditions are safe, pull over temporarily to allow traffic to pass.
• Slow down on turns and curves. Check the traffic behind you.
• Minimize the width of equipment as much as possible. You may not interfere with traffic on an adjoining lane.
• When practical, truck larger equipment to the next location.
