Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, Indiana

Breaking News

Local News

September 28, 2008

Harvest season driving tips

The Indiana State Police would like to remind citizens that the farm fall season is upon us and often requires large farm implements to be on the road. This requires drivers in rural areas to be alert to the possibility of encountering slow moving farm machines and be prepared to slow or stop to avoid a rear-end collision or striking a farm machine that is turning into a field or driveway.

Tips for farmers and drivers:

• Farm machinery can unexpectedly turn onto a public road from a field or driveway. It is important for everyone’s safety to have patience and share the road.

• Farm machinery travels slower than normal traffic, often at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less. Automobile drivers must quickly identify farm equipment and slow down immediately to avoid rear-end crashes.

• Slow moving farm machinery traveling at less than 25 miles per hour are required to display a slow moving vehicle emblem on the back of the equipment. This is a quickly identifiable sign to other motorists. All lighting should be working properly and be highly visible.

• Slow moving vehicles are required to pull off to the right when three or more vehicles are blocked and cannot pass on the left.

• Machinery that is half on the road and half on the shoulder may suddenly move completely onto the road. Machinery may take up more than one lane to avoid obstacles such as road signs.

Before passing farm machinery:

• Check to be sure that machinery is not turning left. Look for left-turn lights or hand signals. If the machinery slows and pulls toward the right side of the road, the operator is likely preparing to make a wide left turn. Likewise, sometimes to make a right turn with wide equipment, the driver must fade to the left.

• Determine if the road is wide enough for you and the machinery to safely share.

• Look for roadside obstacles such as mailboxes, bridges, or road signs that may cause the machinery to move to the center of the road.

• Be sure there is adequate distance for you to safely pass.

Extra patience, careful driving habits, the use of highly visible markings and lighting will help prevent farm vehicle collisions.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
eEdition
ktbizlinc.kokomotribune.com
Featured Ads
More kokomotribune.com
KT Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter

Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108 Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Echoes from the Titanic