Harvest is fast approaching and Rocky View residents are urged to use caution while sharing the road with farm equipment.
Although the harvest season is two weeks late, drivers can expect to see wide swathers, combines, tractors and grain trucks out on both paved and gravelled roads in the fall.
“The main thing to think about is to slow down and watch far ahead as you travel so you have time to react,” said Tim Dietzler, Rocky View County agricultural fieldman.
Dietzler said some vehicles may be as wide as the road, but generally aren’t on the road for very long. In addition, farmers are very conscious of other drivers and will pull over and let drivers by.
“There is a lot of equipment that isn’t over width, but just travelling really slowly,” said Dietzler.
“You creep up on them pretty fast if you are driving the normal speed.”
Dietzler said that some drivers are anxious to pass slow-moving farm machinery, but urges them to ensure they have enough room ahead to pass.
Some vehicles, such as haying equipment, grain trucks and augers, can be difficult to identify from far away.
“It is hard to see them because they have a narrow perspective,” said Dietzler, adding that some vehicles have amber flashing lights, making it difficult to tell when they are about to make a left hand turn.
Each year in Canada, there are a number of highway accidents involving farm equipment, said Dietzler, adding that this is the time of year it happens more frequently.
“There is lots of agriculture happening throughout the county,” said Dietzler. “This will continue into October as well…so use caution throughout the county.”
