Road Safety Reminders During Spring Field Work

It is important for rural road drivers to remember they will be sharing the road with farm equipment as spring work season has recently begun or will soon across the region. COUNTRY Financial Senior Loss Control Representative Eric Vanasdale says that both caution and patience are essential for drivers.

Vanasdale: "With our studies we found that most of our accidents between rural vehicle drivers and farm equipment happens during sunrise and sunset when the sun is blocking your vision and making it more difficult to see. So be especially aware during that time. It is harder to see the lights. It is harder to see around them, to see vehicles coming over the horizon. So have patience, slow down and only pass when it is safe to do so. Really watch for tractors that are getting ready to turn left or turn into a field. A lot of accidents happen because you don't know that the tractor is going to turn and you go to pass it and that is when they sideswipe you or when you get hit that way."

He also has some safety reminders for farmers during this busy spring season.

Vanasdale: "One of the biggest things we try to help farmers with is to remind them to have a little patience. In the Mid-West — where I'm located — we've had a really wet spring and farmers are chomping at the bit to get going as it dries here. So they will be running around the clock during planting season here. So slow down a little bit and take breaks when you can. Eat some healthy snacks. Eat healthy meals to avoid fatigue. But we understand that farmers need to be out on the road — just try to avoid that same sunrise/sunset time if you can. If you can't, have a chase vehicle with you to help make yourself more aware to the other motorists around you."