Police-hosted seminar focuses on farm vehicle safety on roads
MILLBROOK – The fact that farmers are not required to pull over their equipment when a line of traffic forms behind them on public roads was highlighted during a free seminar on farm vehicle safety hosted Thursday morning by city police.
An American video shown earlier in the presentation encouraged farmers to do so, but Const. Rob Videto of the community patrol unit – who presented alongside Const. Tom White of the traffic management unit – pointed out that they are not obligated to do so.
What’s more important is that farmers do make motions with their hands that could be misjudged by the other drivers, causing a collision, the officer said during the presentation in the gym of the Cavan Monaghan Township hall on County Road 10 near Millbrook.
The discussion was partially prompted by a farmers’ comment about how busy that particular road into the village has become.
The dialogue led to Videto reminding those on hand that other vehicles can only pass others on the left and encouraging them to report those who use the right shoulder. “By all means, give us a call if that’s a vehicle you can identify.”
A farmer spoke about a situation where police removed the farm plates from one of his vehicles when an officer found his relative driving it.
The personal privilege of driving a vehicle with farm plates only extends to the person or persons who actually own the farm, Videto explained – a rule that came as a surprise to many of those taking in the free presentation.
The officers went over drivers’ roadside requirements, including having their registration, insurance certificate or policy, drivers license, annual registration stickers and, if applicable, commercial vehicle operators registration (CVOR).
They described the differences between types of drivers licenses G, D, and A, when a CVOR is required, the rules and responsibilities related to registration stickers and trip inspections and the rules of securing cargo – such as how man tiedowns are required.
The officers used graphics in a Ministry of Transportation slide show to explain how the aggregate working load limit of the tiedowns must equal half the weight of the load, for example.
They went over the maximum dimensions of vehicles and how all trailers must have registration and number plates, brakes and a secondary means of attachment, like a safety chain.
When it comes to lighting, trailers less than 2.05 metres wide need one lighted lamp or reflector at the rear license plate, while those with a width greater than 2.05 metres need clearance, identification and brake lamps, plate and side marker lights and turn signals.
Each farm tractor or self-propelled unit of farm equipment with electric lighting must have two headlights and one tail light when on a highway at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise, or during unfavourable atmospheric conditions.
The officers also explained how mandatory speed limiters are required for all vehicle made after Jan. 1, 1995 (farm vehicles are not exempt) with a manufacturers gross vehicle weight rating of more than 11,973 kilograms.
The service also gets many complaints about unlawful ATV use in the township, Videto said, highlighting how requirements include wearing a helmet, keeping the speedometer below 40 km/h on public roads and having a slow moving vehicle sign.
“It all comes back to safety,” he said.
Videto has worked in the patrol unit for about five years, Northumberland County OPP and spent about nine years as a local auxiliary officer.
He pointed out that the purpose of the presentation was to educate – including highlighting some of the common errors seen by police when it comes to driving farm vehicles.
It’s a big issue in the township, Sgt. Mike Jackson said afterwards, citing that as the reason the session was hosted for a second consecutive year.
“We hope that people can learn and be safe out there,” he said.
NOTE: For more information, see the slide presentation at www. mto.gov.on.ca/english/trucks/ pdfs/farm-guide-farm-equipment-on-the-highway.pdf .