Please Share The Roadways With Our Farmers
East Tennessee is known for its rolling hills and fertile land. Though the face of the region has changed in the past few decades, it is still largely rural and farming is still a viable part of the local economy. Regardless of the nature of the farmer, either working the land full time as his major occupation or as a gentleman farmer that shares his time with another career, farming is prevalent in rural East Tennessee. In years past, the sharing of the roadways with farmers and their equipment was a natural part of daily life in the rural south. Now, however, local farmers are finding the roads more and more treacherous, as they move their equipment from field to field.
As the hustle and bustle of a more urban way of living becomes the norm, the patience for the slow moving tractors and cumbersome combines appears to be dwindling. Encounters between farmers/farm equipment and drivers are finding their way onto the radar of the USDA and they are tracking accidents, as well as preparing proposals that will make the roads safe for cars and farm equipment, as well as their drivers. Though tractor/car accidents make up a relatively small number of overall accidents, they are 5 times more likely to be fatal and farmers are 2 times more likely to die than the occupants of the car.
Most accidents are precipitated by a lack of patience or unawareness of surroundings. 42.5% occur on roads that have a speed limit of 55 or higher and failure to yield, speeding, improper passing and driving left of the center line are the main contributors to farm equipment/car accidents. Large farm equipment often has to swing wide to make turns and impatient drivers may underestimate the girth of equipment or space needed for a turn. Passing a turning tractor can be deadly for all involved, as sometimes farm equipment is wider than one lane. Farmers often use hand signals so it is important to watch for hand turn signals. Speeding up to a slow moving tractor can also cause an accident. Drivers should use extreme caution when topping blind hills or rounding blind curves. While a farmer may be aware that a line of traffic is moving slowly behind him, he cannot pull off the road unless the ground is stable or he will risk an accident. Most farmers will pull over to alleviate traffic backup, as soon as it can be done safely.
Lastly, it is important to remember that the road is shared with many, including animals, trucks, trains and pedestrians, as well as farm equipment. Maintaining patience on the road, following sound driving procedures and having courtesy for fellow travelers, regardless of how they are traveling, will make the road a safer place for everyone.
