Apr 15, 2013 2 min read

The Washington County Farm Bureau is celebrating Rural Roads Safety Week through Saturday by encouraging county residents to travel safely on the roads this spring.

This time of year, farmers are busy working in the fields and driving tractors, farm trucks, wagons and large equipment on roads. To the distracted or impatient motorist, vehicles such as these can pose a threat when safe driving practices are not observed. For example, if a car is moving 55 mph and comes upon a tractor moving 15 mph, it only takes five seconds to close a gap the length of a football field between the car and the tractor.

Remember not to rush when driving on roads where you might encounter large farm machinery, slow down immediately when you see the orange slow moving vehicle triangle and pass farm equipment only when it is safe for you to do so.

Farmers will make every effort to accommodate motorists. Machine operators will drive on the shoulder of paved roads, whenever possible, in order to give other motorists a better view of road conditions and enough room to pass slower-moving farm vehicles. Keep in mind that if the shoulder is soft, wet, or steep, the farmer cannot move aside because it would cause his equipment to tip. If the farmer cannot pull off the road and you feel you must pass, please do so with caution.

On behalf of the Washington County Farm Bureau, I encourage all residents to be aware of farm equipment during their travels on rural roads. By working together, we can make the trip safe for motorists and farmers.

Laura Zoeller

Washington

Zoeller is the information director for the Washington County Farm Bureau.