With the weather warming up, you'll likely start seeing farm equipment in the fields and on the roads.

Kaley Segboer, Marketing and Communications Coordinator with Ag for Life, said with farm equipment getting out on the roads, it is important everyone is doing their part to share the streets and keep them safe.

Segboer said most drivers that aren't involved in agriculture need to remember to think about the needs of farm equipment on the road.

"It's harder for these large pieces of equipment to drive on the shoulder, so we can't assume that they can move there. It's dangerous for them in a lot of cases because of the soft shoulder and how large the equipment is, so it's being aware that they're there, that they're moving slowly, and that they have large blind spots and can't react as quickly."

Segboer said that safe roads is a two way streets, and farm producers also need to make sure they are doing their part to keep the roads safe.

"Making sure that your hazard lights are working, that you have your Slow Moving Vehicle sign attached, as well as doing that quick walk around your vehicle or piece of equipment before you head down the road and making sure that everything is securely hitched on."

Farm equipment should also be moved to the the side of the road if safe to allow traffic to pass.

Segboer also highlighted the need for parents to educate young drivers about sharing the road.

"Those high school students that have got their drivers license don't have the years of experience that a lot of us older drivers have, so they're not exposed to these pieces of equipment. They don't realize that they're driving at that slower rate of speed, have the blind spots that are quite a bit larger, and don't have the breaking capacity."

 

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