Motorists are advised to be cautious when following slower-moving and larger farm machinery moving on local roads. (University of Missouri Extension photo)

Spring planting season is well underway and with it comes a flurry of activity on rural roads.

Mariam Wassmann, DeKalb County Farm Bureau director of information, said drivers should expect to see farm machinery on rural roads throughout May as farmers finish the corn crop and work at planting soybeans.

The United State Department of Agriculture reported this week statewide planing stood at 66 percent since planting season kicked off in mid-April.

She said it’s important to realize that farm machinery is much bigger and slower than typical cars on the road.

“It’s a busy time for [farmers,]” Wassmann said. “Farmers don’t want to be on the road more than they have to. To motorists we suggest slowing down, and only passing once it’s safe.”

Russ Higgins, a University of Illinois Extension educator, said it’s important for drivers, especially those who frequent rural roads, to be on the lookout for farm implements on and near the road.

Motor vehicle collisions with farm implements account for more than 50 deaths annually, according to the Farm Injury Resource Center. Many of these crashes involve a vehicle moving at a higher speed and a slow-moving tractor with trailing equipment, according to the center.

Higgins said as technology improves, farm equipment is able to do even more work at record speed. However, that means the implements get larger – some of the equipment measures at 40 feet wide. He said drivers should not immediately choose to pass farm equipment; instead, he recommends waiting until the farmer realizes there is a car behind him.

“They may not see you,” Higgins said. “I encourage people to show a little patience, especially when coming up from behind to one of these implements. People can be in a rush, I’m usually running late as well, but we need to think about what [farmers] can or can’t see.”

He said many people try to pass once the equipment slows down to pull into a field, but most people do not realize that the equipment usually has to swing out into the opposite lane in order to make a tight turn.

“You need to be observant,” Higgins said. “If you’ve got time, just let them get into the field. Cars shouldn’t just barrel by.”

Although most crop will be planted by the end of the month, motorists can expect to see harvest equipment out on the roads this fall. Higgins and Wassmann said the same guidelines for driving should be implemented by motorists, but that harvesting equipment is usually smaller in size compared to planting equipment.

“Just remember that farmers are going to be out there doing what they do best,” Wassmann said. “People should keep in perspective that they’re doing their jobs, which is to work to feed others.”

— Motorists should be alert for farm machinery on local roads —