Due to this summer’s drought conditions, harvest season is expected to begin several weeks earlier than last year.  This means drivers will be sharing the roads with farm machinery in the near future.

Guthrie County Sheriff Marty Argenbright says machinery has gotten bigger and farm traffic goes at a much slower pace than cars and trucks, so it’s important to make sure it’s safe to pass.  He says it’s important for drivers to adhere to the no passing zones and it’s never a good idea to pass on a bridge or at an intersection.

Another major concern when travelling on gravel roads around farm machinery is visibility.  With the extremely dry conditions we are experiencing, tractor trailers and trucks hauling grain will kick up large amounts of dust, making it difficult to see.  Arganbright says motorists should be cautious when approaching both controlled and uncontrolled intersections and don’t fly thru the intersection hoping that no one is coming.

The Sheriff also says drivers should pay attention to machinery as they enter or leave their fields from the roadway.  Some tractors are equipped with turn signals; some are not so drivers need to be prepared to slow down or come to a complete stop to avoid running into the machinery while they make their turn.

Argenbright adds the most important thing a driver must have is patience while sharing the road with all types of farm machinery.