How to Safely Share the Road With Farm Equipment

If you drive on enough country roads at a certain time of year, you’ll eventually come across someone driving their tractor from field to field. Tractors are relatively slow compared to cars and trucks, and take up a lot of road space. This can lead to frustration and a temptation to do something rash in order to get around the obstructing farm equipment. However, doing so is extremely unsafe. As a locally owned tractor dealer, we here at Tractor Bobs want everyone to share the road safely whether they are driving cars or farm equipment. That is why we have put together this short guide to safely sharing the road with a tractor.

1. Be Visible

A lot of the safety advice you may have heard about semi-trucks applies to tractors as well. That is, it is very important that you are visible to the operator. Farm equipment tends to be large and a bit unwieldy, so an operator has to focus most of their attention on staying on the road. GIve any tractors you encounter on the road several car-lengths of space and use your headlights to announce your presence to the operator.  

2. Be Smart About Passing

You might feel tempted to quickly maneuver around a tractor to get to your destination more quickly, hitting the gas the moment you see a chance. However, a vehicle moving quickly past the tractor can create wind, causing the equipment to sway and the operator to lose control. If you do have the opportunity to safely pass, give yourself plenty of room and drive at a steady pace. Remember that tractors move slowly, so you can pass them even at a relatively low speed.

Remember that passing lane laws apply no matter who you are behind. Never attempt to pass across double lines. A tractor operator may be able to pull over so you can pass them, but remember that they may not be able to do this if there is no safe place to pull over.

3. Drive Slow and Stay Alert

Most tractor-related road accidents are caused by drivers going too fast and rear-ending equipment, often fatally for the driver, operator, or both. Watch for a bright orange triangle and flashing lights when you are on a country road, and slow down when you see a tractor.

4. Understand the Operator’s Limitations

Tractors are built for power rather than maneuverability. They take wide turns and can be tipped over if the terrain becomes uneven. The upshot is that even if it looks like a tractor has enough room to move over, that may not actually be the case. It is sometimes unsafe for a tractor to drive closer to the shoulder. Finally, if you see a tractor veering in one direction, do not assume it is safe to pass, as the operator may simply be preparing for a turn.

It can be stressful and time consuming to share the road with tractors, especially during the more active months, but that is no reason to throw away common sense. As your locally owned tractor dealer, Tractor Bobs want everyone to be safe on the road. For more information, visit us at our dealership in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. We are proud to serve local communities like Norman and Edmond.