It’s harvest season and many Durham farmers will be out on the roads as they collect their crops.
Durham Region is warning drivers that there may be some temporary delays on roads across the region due to slow moving farm machinery.
You are asked to be patient and cautious when sharing the road with these vehicles.
“Farmers have the important task of transporting the food that feeds our communities, and as part of that transportation they often use public roads to get from field to field and transport their products to market, both day and night,” a regional statement reads. “It’s important for motorists to be patient and cautious around farm vehicles to ensure safety for everyone. Durham Region farmers provide us with a safe, reliable and nutritious food supply.”
They have released the following safety tips for driving in rural communities this time of year:
Be aware
Watch for farm machinery and recognize slow moving vehicles on the road. Farm machinery can appear in a variety of shapes and sizes. Follow these tips for everyone’s safety:
- Look for an orange triangle emblem on the back of any vehicle you do not recognize. This emblem means it’s a slow-moving vehicle. Use caution.
- Most farm equipment travels under 40 kilometres per hour. Slow your vehicle as soon as you see farm equipment on the road and be prepared to stop at all times.
- Farm equipment continues to increase in size and speed, and may be pulling substantial weight along the road. It is important to give equipment lots of room and not attempt to pass when road conditions are unsafe.
- Modern farm equipment often comes equipped with turning signals, four-way flashers or beacons. However, some older machines may not have these features. Pay attention to turn signals and any other hand signals from the operator. Farmers driving or pulling equipment on the road may have large blind spots. Be aware that farmers may not be able to see you. Leave plenty of space between you and the farm equipment so you are visible to the driver.
Pass with caution
Be patient and wait for a safe opportunity to pass. When approaching a farm vehicle, consider the following:
- Farm vehicles with long or wide equipment must sometimes swing wide to make turns. For example, if a tractor swings to the right, do not attempt to pass. It may still be turning left.
- Farmers may be unable to pull off the road due to equipment weight or road shoulder conditions.
- Some farm vehicles take up more than one travel lane. Machinery that is half on the road and half on the shoulder may suddenly move completely onto the road to avoid mailboxes or other obstructions on the shoulder. Often, there are protrusions from the tractor, which can be difficult to see.
- Do not pass and then slow down or stop directly in front of the farm vehicle. Remember that large equipment cannot brake as quickly as a car. Give farmers a wide berth when passing.
- Do not pass farm equipment at intersections. Vehicles may turn without the ability to signal or see traffic behind them.
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