Each year, over 500 tractor and machinery roadway crashes occur in Ohio resulting in property damage, injuries and deaths. It’s up to everyone to be extra vigilant as we share our rural roadways. Here are some helpful tips for farmers and motorists.

Information for the Farmers:

• Obey traffic laws including signs, signals, and speed limits.
• Ensure all tractors and equipment less than 25mph are equipped with clean and unfaded Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem that hasn’t faded and dust is removed before transport.
• Move equipment legally using proper transport modes.
• When possible, move equipment in off-peak hours or on low traffic routes.
• Using escort vehicles in the front or back of the machinery can assist when in heavy traffic.
• Use discretion when pulling to the side of the road to allow motorists to pass.
• Obey traffic laws including signs, signals, and speed limits.
• Slow down on turns and curves.
• Hitch equipment properly to the drawbar or appropriate hitch points with the correct size pins.

Information for the Motorists:

• Be alert and look for flashing lights and Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems on tractors and machinery.
• Slow down as soon as you spot farm equipment. Think about closure time when coming up behind slow moving vehicles.  In less than 7 seconds, a motor vehicle traveling 55 mph will close 400 feet behind a tractor traveling 15 mph.
• Do not speed past farm equipment. Only pass when it is legal and safe to do so.
• It is often difficult for large equipment operators to see traffic coming from behind.
• When meeting equipment (in either direction), watch for any obstructions like guardrails, mailboxes, and road signs that may prevent the machinery to move closer to the shoulder of the road.
• If equipment has pulled over onto the shoulder, do not assume it will stay there; it may be making a wide left turn.
• Do not stop or pull out in front of equipment with a Slow Moving Vehicle emblem.
• When passing farm equipment, make sure you can see the lights on the left and right of the tractor before moving back into the lane of travel.

Follow the laws, respect each other, and share the road safely this season.

This article is provided by the OSU Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Team, https://agsafety.osu.edu/. Authored by Dee Jepsen, Professor,  jepsen.4@osu.edu, and Amy Rademaker, Outreach Coordinator, rademaker.3@osu.edu. Graphics provided by Madeline Walthers, Agricultural Communications Student Intern.