Be extra cautious at harvest time

With the summer season coming to an end, Alberta farmers are turning their focus to this year’s harvest. This means there will be an increase in slow-moving equipment on rural roads, which can create a hazard for farm equipment operators and motorists.

According to The Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting program, 13 per cent of farm related fatalities across Canada are traffic related, and most of these involve tractors. The most frequent type of single-vehicle collision is a farm tractor being driven too close to the shoulder of the road and rolling into the ditch. The most common type of multiple-vehicle collision is a farm machine being hit as it is turning onto a public road.

Remember to share the road and be patient.

Travel Tips for Farmers and Ranchers (https://youtu.be/eqRrVGzIb6)

• Avoid high traffic times, busy roads, bad weather and night driving.

• Make sure all warning flashers, flags, lights and slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblems are clean, visible and working properly.

• Watch for passing vehicles when making left turns.

• Avoid overhead powerlines.

• Stay alert for hazards such as soft shoulders, narrow bridges, loose gravel, bumps, potholes and deep ruts.

• For more tips watch our video: https://youtu.be/eqRrVGzIb6U Travel Tips for Motorists (https://youtu.be/XolgxwDO4xI)

• Be aware of slow-moving farm machinery. The typical speed of a piece of farm machinery is 3040 km/hour. You need to slow down to react! Be patient.

• Watch for vehicles marked with slowmoving vehicle signs (a bright orange triangle with a red border) and flashing amber lights.

• Do not drive in equipment blind spots where operators cannot see you. Keep back a safe distance – at least 50 feet, when following.

• Be aware of intersections where farm equipment might turn.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Ag for Life’s new safety initiative; the Rural Safety Unit. This mobile educational trailer is on-the-road traveling to schools, communities, fairs, festivals and other events to educate, encourage and promote rural and farm safety.