As harvest gets underway, SGI is reminding you to watch out for slow farm vehicles on grid roads, and the occassional highway.
SGI’s Tyler McMurchy says in the past five years there has been 86 crashes involving farm equipment on Saskatchewan roads, resulting in 41 people being hurt, and seven people being killed.
McMurchy says on highways you will come upon these slow moving vehicles very quickly.
He says make sure its safe to pass, and there is plenty of room before you try it, but some patience is a better idea.
Some other tips from SGI:
-You’re even more likely to see farm machinery on grid roads, which are narrower and offer drivers less space to pass.
-Take it easy, slow down and enjoy the scenic country views if you can’t safely get around the equipment until it leaves the road.
-It’s important to be patient and remember that the person driving or towing that farm equipment is likely moving it a short distance from one field to another.
-Following too closely may put you in the farmer’s blind spot. Hang back a bit.
-The machinery may not have turn signals. Drivers preparing to pass farm equipment should make sure that the farmer isn’t about to turn left into a field. Look down the road and anticipate where the farmer may be going.
– When you do pass, give yourself plenty of space, because farm equipment can be deceptively long and wide.
With harvest just getting rolling, you will see an increasing number of farm vehicles on the road, day and night.
