Michigan farmers are hard at work with corn and soybean planting well underway, and that means that drivers across the state will continue to see large farm implements traveling on rural roadways.
While an estimated 20% of people in the U.S. live in rural areas, 40% of traffic deaths occur on rural roads, according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In rural areas, the fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled was 1.2 times higher than in urban areas.
With that in mind, Michigan Farm Bureau is asking drivers to remember these safety tips:
Slow down: Most farm equipment travels at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less, which means drivers who are traveling 55 mph need to be ready to avoid rear-end crashes and give themselves 300 feet of braking distance.
Stay alert: Slow moving farm machines might be just over the next hill or preparing to enter the roadway and may occupy more than one lane in order to avoid obstacles like road signs and mailboxes. Be prepared to slow down, pull to the side of the road, or stop as needed.
Be patient: Machinery that is half on the road and half on the shoulder may suddenly move completely onto the road. Farm equipment also makes much wider turns than passenger vehicles, so only pass when it’s safe to do so and give farmers plenty of room when you do.
“Farmers want drivers to know that they only take their equipment on public roads when it’s absolutely necessary, like when they’re working to get crops into the ground when we have dry spring days,” said Andrew Vermeesch, MFB legislative counsel.
“Motorists and farmers alike share a responsibility to each other when they’re on the road, and with a little patience and awareness, we can all make it home safely.”
Share Story
Article Tags
