It’s spring time, and that means farm equipment’s on Alberta’s public roads again.
According to the Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting program, 13 percent of farm-related fatalities are due to traffic.
Safety must come first for farm machinery driving on major roadways. (Photo/University of Wisconsin)
Alberta Agriculture and Forestry (AF) warns that farmers often travel long distances between fields, which is why they often need to use the highways to transport their equipment.
“To avoid traffic collisions between motorists and farm equipment, farmers need to ensure their equipment is clearly visible,” Nicole Hornett, an AF Farm Safety Specialist, said in a news release. “It also needs to follow all the regulated requirements for lighting and signage.”
Hornett says motorists also need to play their part by driving defensively.
“That includes slowing down near farm equipment, keeping their distance and watching for farms where equipment may be turning,” she said.
According to statistics, machinery roll-overs is the number one cause of farm-related fatalities in Canada.
“To minimize the risk of severe injury or death, operators should be adequately trained to drive the machinery,” said Hornett. “As well, all tractors should be equipped with roll-over protective structures.
“Also, unless it’s safe to do so, resist the urge to move closer to the ditch to let motorists pass,” she continued. “Even one wheel into the gravel can cause the driver to lose control and roll the equipment.”
Other tips AF offers to farmers include making sure public roads are visible, that all lights are clean and functional, and use reflective tape and reflectors in case large equipment is required to travel in dim lighting conditions.
– Posted by BET
