Navigating rural roads during harvest time

As the leaves turn colourful and the fields fill with golden corn and hay, the hum of engines signals that tractors, combines, balers and wagons are rolling along local roads. These familiar neighbours remind us that a little patience goes a long way this time of year. Give a wagon some space now, and the community will reap the rewards later.

Farm vehicles are required to display a bright orange Slow Moving Vehicle sign and cannot exceed 40 kilometers per hour. They may seem slow to some, but that steady pace keeps everyone safe and lets farmers focus on the job at hand: bringing in the harvest.

Drivers should be patient and give farm equipment plenty of space to make wide turns, which are a normal part of life on the farm. Passing at intersections is not recommended, and extra caution is needed when machinery has front attachments, like combine headers or balers, that can be difficult to see from behind.

Blind spots are another consideration - if you can’t see the operator in their mirrors, they probably can’t see you, and following too closely is risky since farm equipment brakes more slowly than passenger vehicles. 

Harvest season means busy days for farmers as they bring in corn, hay and other crops. Local roads may be busier than usual, but slowing down and giving machinery space isn’t just about safety, it’s about supporting your community. After all, these are your neighbours out there working hard to bring in the harvest. Every safe kilometer is a friendly nod to the farmers putting food on our tables.

Sharing the road safely can be easy and even neighbourly. Waiting patiently behind a tractor, giving a wagon room to turn, and steering clear of blind spots shows respect for the work farmers do and helps keep everyone safe. 

Harvest only lasts a short while, and a little courtesy goes a long way. By taking the time to share the road, drivers help protect both themselves and the farmers who make the community thrive. A little patience now means a full plate later.

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