Tips for Driving Safely Around Farm Equipment

 Posted on November 10, 2017 in Personal Injury

As the leaves begin to change in the fall, many people in the Chicago area are participating in harvest-themed activities and making visits to a nearby pumpkin patch, apple orchard, or corn maze. However, during this time of harvest, many farmers are hard at work in their fields, and drivers on suburban and rural roads are likely to encounter large, slow-moving farm equipment.

While being stuck behind a tractor or harvester can be irritating, people should be sure they are practicing safe driving around these vehicles, since their large size can make car accidents especially dangerous. Here are some tips for safe driving when sharing the road with farm vehicles:

• Slow down - Farm equipment can enter a road unexpectedly from a field or driveway, so drivers should be prepared to slow down as soon as they see one of these vehicles on the road. Farm vehicles usually drive slowly, so drivers should be ready to slow down when approaching them and stay at a safe distance, since their operators may have limited visibility.
• Watch for signals - The large size and irregular shape of farm equipment may make it hard for drivers to understand when these vehicles are making turns. Drivers may also confuse the flashing amber lights that mark the far left and right sides of farm equipment with turn signals. Be aware of when one of these vehicles may be turning, and watch for hand signals from the driver.
• Allow for wide turns - Much like large trucks or buses, farm vehicles often require a large amount of room to make right or left turns. If one of these vehicles moves to the right or left, they may be preparing to make a turn rather than allowing space for you to pass.
• Pass carefully - Always make sure there is enough space on the road to pass farm equipment, and watch out for obstacles like mailboxes or road signs. Do not speed past a farm vehicle, since the turbulence from your car may cause it to become unstable. When pulling in front of a farm vehicle, check your rearview mirror and give it plenty of space, since it will not be able to slow down quickly.

Contact a DuPage County Car Accident Attorney

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident while driving in the Chicago area, whether the accident involved farm equipment or any other type of vehicle, the skilled attorneys at Martoccio & Martoccio can help you receive the compensation you need to make a recovery. Contact our Hinsdale car accident lawyers at 630-920-8855.

Sources:

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/farm-equipment-road-safety-tips/

http://www.kinze.com/post.aspx?id=330

http://www.pjstar.com/news/20171001/fall-harvest-signals-need-for-caution-on-roads