Drivers asked to use caution around farm equipment

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The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is asking drivers to exercise caution when driving near farm equipment this fall.

Sheriff Matt Melvin said fall is one of the busiest times for farmers to move harvesting equipment on county roadways.

“Road safety is extremely important as farmers and motorists have to share the roads,” Melvin said. “Motorists need to use caution when approaching farm equipment.”

Melvin said farm machinery has a legal right to use public roads.

He added farm equipment will move at a slower speed and some equipment can be wider than two-lane roads.

When approaching farm equipment, Melvin said, drivers need to pay attention, slow down and pass with extreme caution. Automobile drivers must quickly identify farm equipment and slow down immediately to avoid rear-end crashes.

He also said farm machinery can unexpectedly turn onto public roads from a field or driveway.

Melvin also asks local farmers to make sure that the safety equipment is working properly. This includes making sure flashing lights are working properly, slow-moving vehicle emblems are in proper operating condition, clean and easily visible.

“Please remember motorists need to use caution on our area roadways during the harvest season,” Melvin said. “Share our area roadways with our farmers. Safety isn’t expensive; it’s priceless.”

A driver passes a local farmer on his way to Westville Grain on state Route 560 this week as harvest season moved into full swing.
https://www.urbanacitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/36/2015/09/web1_farm-traffic.jpgA driver passes a local farmer on his way to Westville Grain on state Route 560 this week as harvest season moved into full swing. Steve Stout|Urbana Daily Citizen

By Nick Walton

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Nick Walton can be reached at 937-652-1331 Ext. 1777 or on Twitter @UDCWalton.

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