Our View: It's vital to be aware of farm vehicles on the road
For many drivers traveling on country roads, there are few sights more frustrating than a tractor or a combine moving slowly ahead of you in your lane.
You're in a hurry. You just want to get home. Maybe you just can't stand slowing down and waiting for an opportunity to pass safely.
But there is no other realistic option. You must slow down, or you might run right into that heavy piece of machinery. And that would be unfortunate. Serious injuries would be likely.
It's an issue that comes up each year. Farmers must move from field to field to harvest their crops. And the danger is particularly great this year. This is one of the latest harvests on record, and Daylight Savings Time is over. There are fewer hours of daylight each day.
So far, we have not had any reports of major crashes involving farm machinery. But the DeKalb Sherriff's Office and DeKalb County Farm Bureau last week issued a "harvest alert" last week, warning motorists that there will be a record number of tractors, combines, wagons and trucks on rural roads and county and state highways.
Under such conditions, it's likely that motorists who aren't anticipating the presence of the farm equipment can find themselves in a difficult situation.
So what can be done?
Drivers should be patient. It won't take long to pass such a slow-moving vehicle, and the opportunity likely will present itself in a matter of minutes.
While trailing a farm vehicle, drivers should remain a safe distance behind.
Watch out for where the vehicle might make a turn. You'll have to slow down even more.
Even the most impatient drivers realize the importance of harvest time. It's a necessary part of farming, and it's inevitable. It happens every year. So be realistic and patient. Allow the farmers to do their job. It's the only way to make sure you get to where you're going safely.
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