Equipment operators must be aware of the hazard their use of public roads causes and take necessary precautions. Difference in Speed Most farm machinery is transported at speeds of 25 mph or slower while other vehicles often are traveling at much faster speeds. This difference causes motorists to miscalculate how fast they are approaching farm machinery. Motorists sometimes do not even see farm equipment because they are traveling too fast. As today s farms and ranches increase in size, land farmed is often separated by long distances, necessitating the need to transport of farm machinery on public roads.
Today s large equipment sometimes overlaps into other lanes, creating a hazardous situation.
Poor Visibility Corners, hills, and other blind spots reduce a motorist s ability to see farm and ranch equipment either traveling on the roadway or pulling onto a roadway. Dirty windshields on equipment also reduces operator visibility. The operator must be attentive and react quickly if needed when moving along roadways. Signs Motorists may not slow down when approaching a slow-moving farm machine. Because of this accidents frequently occur between farm equipment and motorists traveling in the same direction.