The season when farm machinery appears on local roads is here. It's also the time when drivers of all vehicles need to be more cautious about preventing accidents. Mike Hogan, Ohio State University Extension Educator for Carroll, Harrison, and Jefferson Counties, says that farmers and motorists both have a need and a legal right to be using the same roads. "The key to avoiding accidents is that farm equipment operators and the non-farm motorists each respect the other's rights," says Hogan.

The slow-moving vehicle (SMV) sign has helped to prevent accidents by warning drivers when a vehicle is traveling 25 miles per hour or less, but a need to replace old and faded signs is detracting from the sign's ability to prevent accidents. Hogan suggests that farmers obtain new SMV signs which utilize new technology, or new decals which can be placed on old SMV signs.

"Utilizing new retroflective material, the new SMV sign can be seen from 1,200 feet away, instead of 600 feet for the older signs," says Hogan. Upgrade kits which contain the new retroflective material are available for $11.00 each at the Carroll County Extension Office. The upgrade kits contain one self-adhesive SMV emblem and four strips of self-adhesive marking tape to mark the outermost edges of farm equipment. In addition to marking farm equipment, the kits may be used to mark Amish buggies.

Motorists can also do their part to help prevent farm equipment accidents on the road. Hogan gives some suggestions for motorists to follow when encountering slow-moving farm machinery:

-Be patient. The machinery operator will let you pass when there is room to get the equipment off the road.

-Allow time and space to pass. Machinery might be longer and wider than it seems. Wagons and pulled machinery may swerve and need extra room to pass. The accident rate is twice as high when multiple wagons are being pulled.

-Be sure to signal before passing and move to the passing lane far enough ahead of time to make sure the road is clear.

-Don't rely on your horn to warn farmers. The noise from tractors and other farm machinery often drowns out other sounds.

-Remember, it takes longer for farm machinery to accelerate than it does for cars. Watch out for places where farm equipment enters and exits.

-Don't wait for farmers to signal you to pass, it is the driver's decision to pass or not.

Farming is the second most hazardous occupation in the United States, and there are more than 750 farms in Carroll County. Working together, farmers and motorists can help prevent some of the injuries which make farming so hazardous.