It's harvest time and Agriculture for Life is reminding rural residents to share the road.

Slow moving farm equipment will be out on roads more often very soon, Luree Williamson, CEO with Agriculture for Life says motorists need to slow down and be very patient.

"The typical speed for a piece of farm equipment is maybe 30 km/h or 40 km/h so we need as motorists to slow down to react, so when you see a piece of equipment ensure you're slowing down well ahead of time."

Williamson stresses the importance of not just slowing down, but giving farmers room to work as well.

"Never assume the operator of the equipment can see you, there are many blind spots, make sure you are slowing down and you're aware that they may not be able to see you. Try to stay back at least 50 ft. when you're following that equipment so they can see around those blind spots."

She shares operators of farm equipment have no responsibility to pull over for oncoming traffic, but they do have other obligations.

"It's important for the farmers to avoid high traffic times, so when everybody's out commuting to work it's probably not a good time to head out on the highway. They need to watch for passing vehicles, again there are plenty of blind spots so they need to be very aware, operators of the equipment also need to watch for those sharp turns, hills, and power lines."

Williamson adds Farmers must also make sure their warning lights and flashers are working, and ensure their slow moving vehicle sign is clean and visible.

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