During the next couple of months our rural roads and highways will be covered with farm machinery and trailer trucks as the 2017 crop is harvested.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, a large portion of motor vehicle fatalities in Mississippi occur on rural roads. Rural traffic is often overlooked because of the drivers’ sense of familiarity with the location. However, with many using some type of electronic device while driving, including cellphones or GPS, it only multiplies the risk.
Keep in mind that most farm machinery is moving at a much slower rate than many motorists when it comes to highway travels. For instance, if you are traveling at the posted speed of 65 mph and a combine is a half mile ahead of you traveling at 15 mph in the same direction, it would only take 36 seconds for the two to meet.
Now say that there is only a quarter mile in between, then the time has been halved to 18 seconds.
The Department of Transportation says the average person sending or receiving a text takes the driver’s eyes away from the road for about 5 seconds. It wouldn’t take long for someone to lose concentration and find themselves dangerously close to having a collision.
Always pay attention and look for warning lights as well as slow-moving-vehicle placards. These placards alert you to slow down and keep a safe distance between you and the slower-moving traffic until it is safe to pass. At the end of the day everyone wants to get to and from home, work and school safely.
The following are some tips for both farmers and drivers to keep in mind to help keep this harvest season safe.
Farmers:
nEnsure all safety lighting works and the proper placards are in place
nTry to avoid areas with heavy traffic during the peak times
nBefore moving equipment make sure that all personnel and vehicles can be seen
nIf equipment must be parked along the road make sure it has been marked down the road
Drivers:
nBe patient when traveling behind slower moving farm equipment
nWhen meeting farm equipment pull to the right hand side of the road ensuring a safe passage
nIf passing machinery or trucks parked alongside the road slow down and give room in case there is someone getting in or out
nPractice safe responsible driving, do not take for granted that the operator can see you passing them
nSunflower County Extension Agent Alex Deason is writing a new weekly column. Readers are encouraged to submit ideas for things they’d like Alex to address. You may email him at a.deason@msstate.edu.
