Drivers, farmers urged to share roads safely during harvest season

As harvest season begins across Ontario and especially within Simcoe County, both drivers and farmers are reminded to share rural roads with care.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is encouraging everyone to stay alert and take precautions to help prevent collisions involving farm equipment.

Safety tips for motorists include:

Look for the orange triangle on the back of farm vehicles. This slow-moving vehicle sign means the equipment is legally limited to speeds of 40 km/h or less.
Watch for turn signals and remember that gaps between slow-moving vehicles and oncoming traffic can close quickly.
Be patient and pass only when safe. Modern farm equipment is larger than ever, and narrow shoulders make it difficult for operators to pull over completely.
Farmers also play a key role in road safety by:

• Conducting a daily 360-degree safety check before heading out onto roads.
• Ensuring hitches, brakes, tires, and power take-offs are properly maintained and ready for the road.
• Making sure lights are functional and the slow-moving vehicle sign is clearly visible and secure.
• Avoiding mobile device use while operating equipment — distracted driving is dangerous in any vehicle.