This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ] Export date:Mon May 20 1:31:03 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Road safety tips for rural drivers --------------------------------------------------- Dufferin County roads see increased farm equipment traffic in the spring and during harvest, so drivers be prepared and keep the following safety tips in mind. • Slow down as soon as you spot a piece of farm equipment. In fact, if you see something ahead that is neither car nor truck, slow down--at least until you have identified the object. • Watch for hand signals. Just because a tractor veers right does not mean the operator is pulling over for you to pass. The sheer size of farm equipment often dictates the necessity of wide turns--hence the veer right. If a tractor operator is signaling you to wait, trust him. He has a much higher vantage point than you. • Be aware of the triangular Slow-moving-Vehicle (SMV) sign. Only use SMV signs on slow moving vehicles, not to mark driveways or for other non-vehicular uses. Not only are these actions illegal in many areas, they devalue the purpose of SMV signs, putting producers at risk when moving equipment. • Watch for flashing amber lights. This type of light often marks the far right and left of farm equipment. Also watch for reflective tape marking extremities and sides of equipment. • Do not speed past farm machinery. Even when you may pass safely and legally, the turbulence created by your vehicle may cause the machinery to sway and become unstable. • Do not pull out in front of slow moving vehicle and then slow suddenly. A tractor pulling a grain cart does not have the maneuverability of a car. Make sure you have ample space to pass. As with any passing operation, check the rear-view mirror before returning to your travel lane. • Do not expect equipment to run partly on the road shoulders. Driving with one set of wheels on the pavement and one set on loose-surfaced shoulders substantially increases the risk of overturn or other accident. • When you meet a piece of equipment on the road, try to find a safe spot to pull over to allow safe and easy passage of the implements. • Rural motorists are asked to be alert and adjust your driving accordingly. When encountering slow-moving farming equipment, assess the situation. Watch for farm lanes or agribusiness into which the equipment might be turning. • Also, do not pass until certain the way is clear and make sure the farm equipment operator is aware of your intentions. --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2015-04-22 21:09:22 Post date GMT: 2015-04-23 01:09:22 Post modified date: 2015-04-30 08:23:59 Post modified date GMT: 2015-04-30 12:23:59 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com