ABOUT US AGRONOMY ENERGY FEED GRAIN Mitchell, SD| Careers | Contact Us Intern with us! Home / CHS News / Keep your rural road safe Published June 28, 2021 Keep your rural road safe June is National Safety Month. CHS and Nationwide are proud to share a partnership focused on safety. The following information is provided by Nationwide, the #1 farm and ranch writer in the U.S.* Safely navigating large agricultural equipment over rural roads to and from the fields is a challenge for even the best drivers. Nationwide reminds farmers to consider the following rules on the safe operation of equipment to help reduce the risk of motor vehicle collisions. Basics Courts uphold agricultural equipment operator rights for road usage, and regulations for size and type usually don’t apply. But still take necessary precautions to prevent serious injury and damage and ensure that your equipment isn’t in violation. You know accidents can happen any time of day, but remember: Working after dark: Turn on lights, use reflectors or conspicuity tape, display SMV (slow-moving vehicle) sign, consider escort vehicles Trailer pulling: Don’t rely on power unit lights only; this increases collision risk if lights become obstructed “Road rules”: Operators must understand driving hazards; regulations include specific training for equipment operation and environment navigation Left turns Operators tend to pull to the right when making wide left turns. Motorists may view this as permission to pass. To prevent accidents: Use turn signals or hand/arm signals Check oncoming traffic Check mirrors and blind spots Bridges Before crossing rural bridges: Ensure appropriate vehicle weight Allow oncoming traffic to clear the bridge (reduces weight on bridge and provides you space to maneuver) If tires have large lugs for traction, be cautious of guardrail contact that could inadvertently cause equipment to climb the rail or tip off the bridge Passing cars When driving a slow-moving vehicle, never wave a driver to pass. It’s the passing driver’s responsibility to pass – not yours. Also: Don’t drive on the shoulder; you may sideswipe a passing vehicle if you have to swerve to avoid an oncoming mailbox or obstruction Drive with the left side of your vehicle to the centerline, even if your equipment extends onto the shoulder; passing drivers should consider safety and the law before passing Rear-end collisions Rural road travelers can easily be surprised by a large, slow-moving vehicle — and misjudge their speed and gap distance. To avoid rear-end collisions: Monitor mirrors for fast-approaching vehicles Ensure that the vehicle’s warning devices, such as SMV signs, are visible Consider vehicle escorts on heavily traveled paved roads For more farm safety tips, contact your local Nationwide farm agent or visit mynsightonline.com. *A.M. Best Market Share Report 2019. Nationwide, the Nationwide N and Eagle, and Nationwide is on your side are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2021 Nationwide. CHS News Farm Safety, National Safety Month, Safety Share this: RECENT POSTS GROWMARK and CHS Announce – Cooperative Ventures CHS reports fiscal year 2021 net income of $554.0 million Co-op 101: What is a cooperative? Internships CHS reports $273.6 million in fiscal 2021 third-quarter net income POPULAR POSTS Preparing for a Successful Planting Season Ian Sane As the weather begins to creep into warmer temperatures and the sun lingers in the sky lon... The Benefits of Precision Agriculture United Soybean Board When it comes to technology and data available within the agricultural industr... 3 Challenges Growers Face in Current Agriculture Landscape It’s easy to look around and see how agriculture impacts our world. This might be one of t... CATEGORIES Select Category CHS News Commentary COVID-19 Updates Uncategorized ARCHIVES Select Month November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 July 2021 June 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 FOLLOW US HOME CHSINC.COM C MAGAZINE FLEET PROGRAM CONTACT US CAREERS ABOUT US GRAIN TRADING APP PRIVACY NOTICE COOKIE NOTICE APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP COMMITTED TO FARM SAFETY WEATHER © 2021 CHS Inc.