Motorists urged to use caution as harvest season begins

LANSING, MI--It's fall in Michigan and that means crisp apples, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and more. It also means motorists will be sharing the road with farm equipment as producers work to harvest their crops. The Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) is reminding motorists to use caution around farm vehicles and to give them the space they need stop, make turns, and operate safely. "By following a few common sense tips, motorists and producers alike can share the road safely through the harvest season," said Don Koivisto, MDA Director. "Remember, Michigan's farmers have an important job and are not there to inconvenience you. A farmer may be unable to pull off the road due to equipment weight or road shoulder issues, so please wait for a safe opportunity to pass." According to the Michigan Farm Bureau, one of the biggest hazards is motorists not allowing enough time to brake when approaching a slow-moving farm vehicle. It takes a minimum of 240 to 300 feet for a passenger car or pickup truck with a normal brake system traveling 55 mph to stop behind farm equipment traveling at 10 mph, which requires a stretch of road nearly the size of a football field to stop. "The task of driving requires caution and alertness at the wheel at all times," said Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. "At this time of year, motorists should be especially aware of farm vehicles on or near the road and take proper care to avoid collisions." The slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem, a bright orange triangle framed in red, is meant to warn motorists that a vehicle traveling at slower than normal speeds is ahead and they should approach it with caution. An SMV emblem is used on vehicles that have a maximum potential speed of 25 mph on the highway or an implement of husbandry, and also for farm tractors or special mobile equipment. All new farm equipment manufactured in the United States after Jan. 1, 2007 comes standard with special safety features, including flashing amber lights. However, the majority of farm equipment used in Michigan was manufactured prior to that date. Until the older equipment is retired and replaced with newer models, motorists and farmers share the burden of making sure that the SMV sign retains its safety purpose. MDA and the Michigan Department of State offer motorists, farmers, and others the following tips for sharing the road: * Recognize slow moving vehicles on the road. They come in a large variety of shapes and sizes. A good road safety rule is to look for an orange triangle emblem on the back of any vehicle (http://www.ehow. com/cars/) you don't recognize. Use caution when you see the triangle, which indicates a slow moving vehicle. * Know that most farm equipment travels ( http://www .ehow.com/travel/ ) under 25 mph. If you're traveling 60 mph, you can cover a football field's length in only a few seconds. To avoid collision, slow your vehicle as soon as you see farm equipment in the road. Be prepared to stop at all times. * Watch for turn signals. Farm equipment doesn't always have brake lights or turn signals, and many farmers use hand signals to show their intentions. Left arm out, in a 90 degree angle with the fingers facing skyward indicates a right turn. Left arm straight out shows a planned left turn. Left arm in a 90 degree angle, fingers pointing to the ground means the farmer is about to stop. * Be aware that farmers with long or broad equipment must sometimes swing wide (like a semi) to make left turns. If a tractor swings to the right, don't attempt to pass. It may still be turning left. * Give farmers wide berth when passing. Some farm equipment takes up more than one travel lane. Often there are odd pieces protruding from the tractor. They can be difficult to see. Pass widely, and return to the driving lane far ahead of the farmer. Do not pass and then slow down or stop directly in front of the farm vehicle. Large equipment can't brake as quickly as a car. Published: Thu, Oct 21, 2010

––––––––––––––––––––
 Subscribe to the Legal News!
 https://test.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available