Motorists need to remember road safety during harvest time

Hometown news spoke with Lt. Jon Pruitt of the Missouri Highway Patrol about the dangers of driving on Troop “E” Highways during the farming season.

 

The fall harvest season is upon us and drivers can expect to see large farm implements traveling on the roads. Farm implements need additional roadway space, so be prepared to slow down, pull to the side or stop.  Drivers in rural areas must remain alert to the possibility of encountering slow moving farm machines and be prepared to slow or stop to avoid a rear-end collision or striking a farm machine that is turning into a field or driveway.

Tips for Farmers and Rural Drivers:

• Farm machinery can unexpectedly turn onto a public road from a field or driveway. It is important for everyone’s safety to have patience and share the road.
• Farm machinery travels slower than normal traffic, often at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less. Automobile drivers must quickly identify farm equipment and slow down immediately to avoid rear-end crashes.
• Slow moving farm machinery traveling at less than 25 miles per hour are required to display a slow moving vehicle emblem on the back of the equipment. This is a quickly identifiable sign to other motorists. All lighting should be working properly and be highly visible.
• Slow moving vehicles are required to pull off to the right when three or more vehicles are blocked and cannot pass on the left.
• Machinery that is half on the road and half on the shoulder may suddenly move completely onto the road. Machinery may take up more than one lane to avoid obstacles such as road signs.

Before passing farm machinery:

• Check to be sure that machinery is not turning left. Look for left turn lights or hand signals. If the machinery slows and pulls toward the right side of the road, the operator is likely preparing to make a wide left turn. Likewise, sometimes to make a right turn with wide equipment, the driver must fade to the left.
• Determine if the road is wide enough for you and the machinery to safely share.
• Look for roadside obstacles such as mailboxes, bridges, or road signs that may cause the machinery to move to the center of the road.
• Be sure there is adequate distance for you to safely pass.

Remember farm machinery can now be on the roadways at night due to a new state law.