‘Farm equipment has every right to be on our roads’ in Northumberland
By West Northumberland Independent staff
With harvest season upon us, Northumberland County, the Northumberland Federation of Agriculture and Northumberland OPP are launching a public awareness campaign reminding drivers to share the road safely with operators of farm equipment vehicles.
The campaign entitled “Slow Down, Stay Alert, and Wait to Pass” encourages drivers to recognize the orange-and-red slow-moving vehicle (SMV) triangle and understand what it means – the vehicle ahead is travelling slowly and cannot increase its speed.
Drivers should slow down, maintain a safe following distance, and only pass when it is safe and legal to do so, explained officials.
Every fall, tractors, wagons, combines and other farm equipment travel on Northumberland roads.
“Harvest is how Northumberland feeds our communities, and it means more farm equipment sharing our roads than at any other time of year,” noted Denise Marshall, Northumberland County’s director of public works. “Farm equipment has every right to be on our roads.
“This campaign is about making sure drivers know what to expect and how to respond when they encounter a slow-moving vehicle. A few extra seconds of patience can prevent a serious collision.”
The idea for the campaign hailed from the Township of Cramahe’s agriculture advisory committee, whose members identified recurring safety concerns around drivers following too closely, passing unsafely or not understanding how to respond when they encounter a SMV sign.
Extra caution is needed when motorists encounter farm equipment on the road, the partners shared. Slow-moving vehicles can be large, wide and difficult to maneuver, and may need to make unexpected turns or move closer to the shoulder.
“Our farmers are out on these roads because that’s where they work – moving equipment between fields, to grain elevators, and back home again,” said Allan Carruthers, president of the Northumberland Federation of Agriculture. “We’re grateful to Northumberland County and the OPP for standing behind our farm families with a campaign that helps keep everyone on the road safe.”
Ontario Federation of Agriculture statistics indicate the risks associated with slow-moving farm vehicles are significant. Statistics show that slow-moving vehicles are five to eight times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision per kilometre travelled than other motor vehicles, noted campaign advocates.
Farm equipment collisions can also happen in good driving conditions – eight out of 10 collisions involving farm equipment occur during daylight hours, while seven out of 10 occur in dry road conditions.
OPP is also reminding the public that collisions involving farm equipment can result in serious injuries or fatalities, including incidents involving rollovers, soft shoulders, and collisions with passenger vehicles.
“Motorists can encounter farm equipment on Northumberland roads at any time of the year, particularly during planting and harvest seasons,” said Northumberland OPP Const. James Clarke. “Drivers should expect slower-moving vehicles, maintain a safe following distance, and only pass when it is safe and legal to do so.
“A moment of patience can prevent a serious collision.”
Drivers are reminded to slow down when approaching farm equipment displaying a slow-moving vehicle orange triangle sign.
They should stay back and maintain a safe following distance.
Drivers should also remain alert for turning vehicles, wide equipment and unexpected movements. They should wait to pass until it is safe and legal.
The campaign includes public education and an on-the-ground presence. Large portable roadway signs will be placed on county roads in rural areas and at key entry points into the county, supported by a co-ordinated communications effort across Northumberland municipalities.
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