Harvest Time – Give The Farmers A Brake

(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment is reminding all motorists traveling rural areas of Norfolk County and other areas around the Region to be mindful that time for harvesting crops is upon us.

Motorists are urged to use caution and reduced speeds when traveling near farm vehicles and equipment. Every year the OPP responds to incidents involving farm vehicles that are struck by impatient or inattentive drivers. These collisions frequently result in personal injury and or death. The sad reality is that all of these collisions need not happen at all and are preventable.

Farm equipment such as tractors, combines and the trailers they tow are very large and require significant room to safely manoeuvre on the roadway. The work they are doing is important to all our communities. Public safety is the focus of the OPP. To that end, the OPP offers the following tips for motorists using rural roadways during the harvest time frame;

Anticipate that there may be farm equipment in use and travel below the posted or suggested speed limit in areas where crops are being cultivated.

If you see large farm equipment on the roadway, slow down, be patient and pass only when it is safe to do so.

Do not tailgate large farm equipment as the operator may not be able to see you.

Do not blow your horn at the operator of the farm equipment as they likely won’t be able to hear you due to the noise produced by the equipment.

The OPP encourages all motorists to be mindful of farm equipment operators during this year’s harvest and to give them the necessary room to do their work by sharing the roadways.

“By being aware of farm equipment during your travels on rural roads, you can help make the trip safe for both you and Ontario farmers,” comments Inspector Zvonko Horvat, Norfolk County OPP Detachment Commander.

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