Spring planting season is in full swing, and it’s a bustling time when our roads are shared between motorists and slow-moving farm vehicles. Farmers can’t teleport their equipment between fields, so they brave public roads to get the job done.
“It’s critical for us to use the public roads as we have many farms spread across the county and we need to make multiple trips,” says Chris McDonald, a Kent County grain farmer.
Farm vehicles, such as tractors, combines, and planting equipment, are often larger, slower, and offer less visibility than the average automobile. Look for the orange triangle-shaped sign with a red border attached to the back of slow-moving vehicles. This sign alerts motorists that the equipment ahead is traveling at no more than 25 mph. “The SMV sign is important because it is bright and eye-catching,” Chris says.
Carroll County grain farmer, Evan Staley, adds, “On some days, I can be on the road up to 10 times a day with equipment. My visibility in [large farm vehicles] is not that great. When I’m sitting in the seat, I can’t see the edge of my tire, which is a big deal. So, when you see me coming down the road, I’m taking up the whole road. I can get over when a car’s coming, but the scary part is the blind spots.”
Find Me Driving, a Maryland Soybean Board public awareness campaign, aims to educate motorists on best practices when encountering slow-moving vehicles. It includes a fun mascot named SAM® that highlights three simple yet effective safety tips to keep everyone safe this planting season:
- Slow down: Look for the orange triangle-shaped sign indicating a slow-moving vehicle.
- Assess your surroundings: Keep a safe distance from farm vehicles and allow extra time to overtake them.
- Move with caution: Only pass when it’s safe and legal — and never on a curve or hill.
Farmers understand that their slow-moving farm vehicles can be frustrating for other drivers. Chris adds, “One thing I would like motorists to know about slow-moving vehicles is that we are only on the road to get from farm to farm to do our job — which is feeding everyone! — and are on the road as little as we have to be.”
The slow-moving farm vehicles you see on the road are essential to putting food on your table. A little patience and awareness go a long way in keeping both farmers and motorists safe. So this planting season, when you spot that bright orange triangle, take a breath, slow down, and give farmers the space they need — they’re working hard to feed us all.
Hungry for more? Read about navigating busy roads. Watch safe driving videos.
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