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 (OFA) is encouraging everyone to stay alert and take precautions to help prevent collisions involving farm equipment.
Safety tips for motorists
- 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 kilometres per hour 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' role
- Conducting a daily 360-degree safety check before heading out onto roads.
- Ensuring hitches, brakes, tires, and power take-offs (PTOs) 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.
Everyone plays a vital role in keeping roads as safe as possible and by working together, we can make sure everyone returns home safe and sound this harvest season.
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