Rural Roadway Safety
National Farm Safety & Health Week is September 15-21. Discover tips you can use to keep yourself and farmers safe while sharing the road.
National Farm Safety and Health Week is designed to raise awareness and advance the safety and well-being of hardworking farmers and ranchers. This time of year, sharing the roadways with various forms of farm equipment is not out of the ordinary. America’s rural roadways are often not equipped for accelerated speeds, which can present several safety hazards— especially those in a hurry.
Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind to help prevent incidents on rural roadways and allow everyone to make it home safely.
1. Be Prepared
Knowing this time of year may require sharing the road, account for extra time on the road.
2. Be Patient
Both drivers and the equipment operator have somewhere to be, so always practice patience and use caution when approaching farm equipment.
3. Be Courteous
Some county roads may be too narrow to pass each other if coming from opposite directions. If possible, carefully pull over to the shoulder and allow the farm equipment to pass safely.
4. Get Their Attention
Use eye contact, flash your lights or use your horn to communicate with equipment operators. This will make them aware you are allowing them to safely pass on a narrow roadway. Also, communicate with vehicles behind you by using your brake lights and keeping a safe distance from any vehicle in front of you.
5. Don’t Assume
Always be alert, pay attention and be ready to react. Never assume you are visible to the operator and they will pull over for you. Keep in mind operators can't see anything unless visible in the equipment’s mirrors. Watch for hand signals from the operator to recognize their intention to turn or pull over. Always look ahead for oncoming traffic—especially around a crest of a hill or tight curve.
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