As combines roll through fields and crops make their way from fields to market, Alabama drivers should expect to share rural roadways with farmers and farm equipment this fall.
“Farmers have spent months growing corn, cotton, peanuts and soybeans,” said Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell. “Now, it’s time to get those crops out of the field and into the hands of people who depend on them. Farmers are providing for the folks they share the road with. Those drivers have places they need to get to safely, and their farmer friends do, too.”
Parnell said farmers try to avoid moving machinery during high-traffic times and pull over to allow cars to pass. However, some congestion is inevitable due to speed limitations of farm equipment. He encourages all drivers to be alert, slow down and practice patience.
“We know our neighbors are in a hurry to get to school, work or other appointments,” Parnell said. “Saving a few minutes is not worth endangering yourself, the farmer or other drivers by passing on a solid yellow line, swerving around a tractor or approaching slow-moving vehicles at high speed.”
Parnell said drivers can quickly close the distance between a vehicle and farm equipment. It takes just 5 seconds for a car moving 55 mph to close a gap the length of a football field with a tractor moving 15 mph.
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