Cooperative Living May 2024 - 28

CROSS ROADS
Roadside Respect
Share the road with farmers this spring
leſt at the next intersection, "
he explains. " I'll start to turn,
and they'll get upset and try
to pass me at the same time.
Th at's been the scary part. "
THE LAW OF THE LAND
Virginia law requires machinery
and vehicles that travel slower than 25
mph to display rear-mounted triangular
slow-moving vehicle emblems when on
public roadways. Many farmers also use
fl ashing amber lights, refl ective decals
and escort vehicles for extra visibility
and to alert approaching drivers.
To lessen their impact on traffi c
by Alice Kemp, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation
A
s drivers cruise along bucolic
roads this spring, it's important
to stay alert and watch out
for slow-moving farm equipment.
Spring planting season is a busy time
for farmers, and many of them must
transport their equipment on roadways
to reach their fi elds. Much of this
heavy machinery, like tractors, planters,
sprayers and spreaders, can easily
span more than one lane, and even
the entire road.
" Most oſt en, farmers aren't moving
their equipment very far, " says Matt
Nuckols, Virginia Farm Bureau
Federation's farm safety coordinator.
" We encourage drivers to obey traffi c
laws and patiently wait for farmers
to reach their destination or pull over
to let them pass. "
SHARING IS CARING
Spring planting season can be a
dangerous time for both farmers
and motorists. Th ough only 19% of
Americans live in rural areas, almost
half of all fatal roadway accidents occur
in these areas. A 2021 report published
26 * Cooperative Living * May 2024
in the Open Journal of Safety Science
and Technology revealed the percentage
of fatal crashes involving farm
equipment " can be nearly fi ve times
higher than the average for all road
crashes. "
Farm equipment drivers have limited
visibility and large blind spots, and
curving country roads with narrow lanes,
hidden turnoff s and overgrowth add
to those hazards. A motorist traveling
55 mph will quickly close the distance
between a tractor going 20 mph.
In Loudoun County, hay farmer
Chris Van Vlack oſt en moves
his equipment on local roads
during planting season. Like
many farmers, he has fi elds
that aren't contiguous, so
driving on roads is necessary.
He says while 95% of drivers
are courteous and patient,
it is the actions of the other
5% that can be hair-raising,
especially if they don't
understand when it's safe
to pass.
" I'll signal that I'm turning
co-opliving.com
" I'll signal that I'm turning
driving on roads is necessary.
He says while 95% of drivers
it is the actions of the other
5% that can be hair-raising,
fl ow, farmers typically avoid moving
equipment during peak times like rush
hour and when school lets out. When
they do encounter vehicles, farmers will
move over to let others pass when it's
safe and the roadside is free of obstacles
like ditches, mailboxes, posts and trees.
" If you're willing to wait in line for
a table at your favorite restaurant or in
line at the grocery store, please provide
that same patience for the farmers
growing and raising the food you get
at those places, " Nuckols urges.
Van Vlack adds that everyone
should be mindful of their surroundings,
avoid distractions like cellphones, and
use caution - especially if they see crop
fi elds and pastures.
" If you see farm things, expect farm
equipment, " he says.
*
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Cooperative Living May 2024

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