By Sam Odrowski

Hay harvest season is in full swing across Dufferin County and heavy agricultural equipment is utilizing local roadways.

To keep the community safe, the Dufferin Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding motorists to share the road and drive with extra care when near slow-moving farm vehicles.

“A little extra patience can go a long way to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely,” said Dufferin OPP in a press release.

Dufferin OPP responds to incidents involving farm vehicles that are struck by impatient or inattentive drivers every year and these collisions frequently result in personal injury and/or death. It's an unfortunate reality as all of these crashes are preventable.

Farm equipment such as tractors, combines and the trailers/wagons that they tow are exceptionally large and require significant room to safely manoeuvre on roadways.

The Dufferin OPP would like to share the following tips with motorists using rural roadways during harvest.

• If traveling through areas where crops are currently being harvested, expect to see large agricultural equipment, and drive accordingly.
• If you see large farm equipment on the roadway, slow down, be patient and pass only when it is safe to do so.
• Do not tailgate large farm equipment as the operator may not be able to see you.
• Do not blow your horn at the operator of the farm equipment as they will not be able to hear you due to the noise produced by the equipment.

“Please be mindful of farmer's during this hay harvest and give them the necessary room to do their work by sharing our roadways,” said the Dufferin OPP's press release.

“The Dufferin OPP appreciates the demanding work that our local farmers do every day, with special attention given at this time of year as they harvest their crops. Please ensure that hay harvest is safe for all of our motoring public.”