With planting season in full swing, roads and rural routes across Midwestern Ontario are seeing an increase in slow-moving agricultural vehicles.
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is reminding motorists to stay alert, be patient, and exercise caution when encountering farm equipment on the roadways.
As local farmers head to their fields with tractors, seed drills, and other large machinery, drivers are asked to adjust their habits to help keep everyone safe. The OPP notes that collisions involving farm vehicles often result in serious injuries or fatalities. Police say these are incidents that are entirely preventable with a little extra care and patience.
Farm machinery requires considerable space to manoeuvre, and operators may have limited visibility of smaller vehicles following closely behind. Motorists can expect to see large, slow-moving farm equipment on rural roads and should adjust their driving accordingly. Drivers need to slow down, remain patient, and only pass when it is safe. Avoid tailgating farm equipment, as operators may be unable to see vehicles following too closely.
The OPP is also encouraging the public to be considerate of local farmers working tirelessly to plant crops that benefit the entire community.