One Road campaign brings important message

One road, many drivers.

The message of a new campaign launched by Farm Safety Nova Scotia is to highlight dangers faced by farmers as they travel the roads with farming equipment.

“As we are in the midst of fall harvest season, Nova Scotians are going to see more of our farmers and farm workers out on the roads transporting goods in slow-moving farm equipment,” said Carolyn Van Den Heuvel, manager with Farm Safety Nova Scotia, based in Truro.

“This campaign is to remind everyone that we all share the same road but use it for different purposes.”

And whether it’s the farmer or the motorist, “road safety is everyone’s responsibility.”

Farmers are often traveling short distances on the road at typical speeds of 30 km/h to 40 km/h with wide equipment that can be longer than anticipated.

“When you see a slow-moving vehicle, slow down and use caution,” she said.

Van Den Heuvel stressed that while the campaign’s message is intended to create greater awareness and understanding about farm vehicles operating on Nova Scotia’s highways, there is also a key role for farmers and their workers to play in making sure they follow safe practices and vehicle compliance regulations.

She said farmers “aren’t exactly surprised” when their slow-moving farm vehicles generate the ire of drivers on the province’s roads but they are amazed by the number of motorists who would rather risk their own lives – and the farmers’ – rather than slow down as they pass.

And that is the issue Farm Safety Nova Scotia is prioritizing in its latest campaign called One Road.

The objective of the campaign is twofold: to keep farmers, workers and commuters all safe when farm vehicles are on highways with motorists travelling at high speeds while also ensuring farm workers are adhering to safe practices when using provincial highways and roadways. To learn more about the campaign visit: http:// www.farmsafetyns.ca/oneroad/