Wheat harvest is upon on us!  It is an exciting time out here in rural Colorado and that includes the increased farm traffic on the roads.  It is important for all of us to remain alert and considerate of each other.  Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Tips for Rural Drivers

• Always be on the lookout for farm machinery.  Machinery can turn unexpectedly onto public roads from a field or driveway.
• Farm machinery travels at 25 mph or less, so be prepared to slow down in order to avoid a rear-end collision.
• Keep a safe distance.  This gives better visibility to both drivers and equipment operators.
• Allow adequate time and distance for farm equipment to make wide turns.
• Just because you see the equipment does not mean the equipment operator sees you.

Tips for Passing Machinery

• Be sure the machinery is not turning left.  Look for left turn lights or hand signals.  If the machinery slows down and pulls forward toward the right side of the road, the operator may be preparing to make a wide left turn.  Likewise, sometimes to make a wide right turn, the operator must fade to the left.
• Determine whether the road is wide enough for both your vehicle and the farm equipment.
• Check 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 and be on the lookout for oncoming traffic.

Tips for Farm Equipment Operators

• Check to make sure lighting and flashers are working properly and us them at all times of the day.
• Display a slow-moving vehicle sign on the back of the implement.
• Be careful of soft edges on the roadway when giving way for oncoming traffic.

Stay alert at all times, particularly since long hours during harvest can impair your judgment.