With the spring planting season underway for farmers, motorists are reminded to be aware of larger farm machinery on the roads.

Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante outlines that bigger tractors are not only in the fields, but they will occupy the streets too. He advises motorists to give farm implements enough space when passing from behind and watch for any oncoming traffic before passing. Infante reveals that he came across a situation where there was farm machinery in front of him, and an emergency vehicle approaching from behind as he offers a solution on how to handle that scenario.

“If you’re encountering emergency (vehicles) or first responders, just pull over, you have to yield to them. And it’s just not worth trying to get around the farm machinery at the same time. That could turn a bad situation into a much, much worse situation.”

Infante stresses to also not pass farm machinery at rural intersections, as some may not be marked. He adds that drivers shouldn’t attempt to pass tractors on a gravel road going full speed near a bike trail. Infante notes that common collisions with farm machinery seem to occur at both dawn and dusk, when sunlight isn’t as prevalent. He mentions that drivers shouldn’t pass going up a hill, and only go around if they can have a clear line of sight.