By Larry Davis, Director, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Across Ontario, spring planting season is slowly getting underway. For farmers, that means long days in the field and moving equipment between farms, fields and barns.
For everyone else, it means sharing the road with tractors, planters, sprayers and other slow-moving farm equipment.
As we approach the Victoria Day long weekend and Ontarians head to cottages, campgrounds and holiday activities, rural roads will be busier than usual. As well, many county and regional roads that were once quieter farm routes now carry heavy commuter and recreational traffic every day as Ontario’s population continues to grow.
My family and I farm in Burford near Brantford, and Brant County Road 18 in our area is one such example. It’s a busy road, and like many rural roads across the province, it carries a mix of passenger vehicles, transport trucks and farm equipment. That reality means all of us — farmers and motorists alike — have a responsibility to share the road safely.
Two words matter most: respect and patience.
As farmers, we understand that motorists are trying to get somewhere. People are commuting to work, heading to school events, running errands or trying to start a long weekend getaway. At the same time, we’re trying to do our jobs too, during one of the most time-sensitive periods of the year.
Planting season only gives us a narrow window to get crops into the ground under the right conditions. We do not take farm equipment on the road because we want to inconvenience anyone. We do it because we have to.
We also recognize we have responsibilities when operating large equipment on public roadways. Safety has to come first.
That means making sure equipment is visible with flashing lights and proper slow-moving vehicle signs. It means conducting circle checks and ensuring brakes, tires and hitches are road-ready before heading out. It means keeping equipment lights on throughout the day, avoiding distractions and planning ahead to move equipment safely.
Many farmers also try to avoid moving equipment during rush hour in heavily travelled areas whenever possible to reduce congestion and make things easier for everyone.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture has released a new road safety fact sheet to help raise awareness about farm equipment safety and safe driving practices during the busy planting season.
When motorists see the orange slow-moving vehicle sign on the back of farm equipment, it is a reminder to slow down and stay alert. Those vehicles legally travel at speeds of 40 kilometres per hour or less, and the distance between your vehicle and farm equipment closes much faster than many people realize.
Too often, impatience leads to dangerous passing decisions.
According to federal government data, slow-moving vehicles are 3.8 to 4.8 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision per kilometre travelled than other motor vehicles. OPP statistics show that many farm equipment injuries and fatalities occur while entering, exiting or crossing roadways, veering off shoulders or during collisions involving passenger vehicles.
Many of those crashes happen in ideal driving conditions — during the day and on dry roads — which tells us the issue is often driver behaviour, not weather or visibility.
For motorists, the message is simple. Slow down. Watch for flashing lights and turn signals. Be patient when following farm equipment. Only pass when it is completely safe and legal to do so.
For farmers, the message is equally important. Be visible. Be predictable. Stay focused and take every precaution necessary when moving equipment on public roads.
Source : OFA