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Use caution on rural highways
Kansas
Collisions between farm machinery and passenger vehicles on rural highways are a serious problem, often with deadly consequences. Spring is a particularly risky time in Kansas as the push to get crops in the ground hits full speed, according to John Slocombe, Extension farm safety specialist at Kansas State University.
As planting season progresses into haying season, more tractors and farm machinery will show up on public roads. One key to rural highway safety, is drivers' deliberate plan to share the road, said Slocombe, who encourages all drivers to exercise caution while practicing courtesy.
"Sharing the road is a challenge as farm equipment gets bigger and rural roads become more crowded," said Slocombe, who reminds drivers that farm equipment has two major limitations compared to passenger vehicles--speed and maneuverability. "Farm equipment is designed to move slower than normal traffic. It is also designed to be most responsive when traveling over rough ground, not pavement. Common sense and courtesy can go a long way toward keeping roads safe for farm equipment and passenger vehicles."
Before hitting the highway, make sure farm vehicles are equipped with appropriate warning equipment--flashers, reflectors, and a Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem, and that all warning equipment is in working condition. In Kansas, tractors and slow moving vehicles are required to have amber warning lights on the front and red warning lights on the rear, Slocombe said. Every tractor must have at least two headlamps, at least one red tail lamp (visible from 1,000 feet), and at least two red reflectors in the rear. If a towed implement extends more than four feet behind the tractor or obscures the tractor's lighting, the implement must have at least one red lamp mounted on the rear and as far to the left as possible AND at least two red reflectors. All tractors or machines that travel at speeds of less than 25 miles per hour must also have a SMV emblem mounted on the rear of the vehicle or implement. Hazard-warning lights and SMV emblems warn other drivers of a slow moving vehicle on the roadway.
Passenger drivers, too, can exercise caution by practicing safety and patience.
"It is important to be alert and understand that cars traveling at road speed will close in quickly on a slower-moving tractor or implement. Realize that it will be easier for the passenger vehicle driver to take evasive action than the tractor driver. Never try to assume what the tractor is going to do. Watch for signals--both lighted and hand signals.
"Sharing the road is everyone's responsibility," the farm safety specialist said. "Together we can make rural roads safer for farm machinery and passenger vehicles."
Date: 4/22/04
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