Tractors, cultivators, and other farm equipment will need to use the highways this time of year. (file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Rob Mahon

Farm Equipment on Highways

Parkland Ambulance urges caution for farmers, drivers with equipment on highways

May 2, 2023 | 12:00 PM

If you’re on the highway this time of year, chances are you’ll be sharing it with some massive pieces of equipment. Farmers are getting ready to start the season, and as they do they’ll be moving their machinery, often on the roads.

“We’re noticing lots of farm equipment being moved, not only on our major Saskatchewan highways… but on our secondary and certainly on our rural roads as well,” said Lyle Karasiuk, director of public affairs with Parkland Ambulance. “There’s going to be a lot of farm traffic.”

Drivers may be tempted to speed around farm equipment to move their commute along faster, but the average commuter car is definitely taking the worst of a crash with a piece of farm machinery.

“This stuff is big, it’s sometimes and quite often slow moving, it can be quite long in terms of moving multiple pieces of equipment, and it can be quite dangerous,” Karasiuk said. “If you’re passing beside a cultivator, which is meant to turn the soil, there are some pretty stiff pieces of metal that, should you come into contact with them, you’re going to be injured.”

Karasiuk stressed these vehicles do have a right to be on the road and drivers need to take care when passing them. Giving them a wide berth is a good safety practice, and doing so at a reasonable speed is a good idea as well.

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“Think of it as if you were passing an emergency vehicle,” Karasiuk said. “Albeit, it is not the law in Saskatchewan, but maybe it’s a good thing that we slow down and give them a little extra space, especially if it is a wide vehicle… When you’re on secondary roads and approaching a hill, don’t be coming down the middle of the hill, not realizing that around the next corner is a very large piece of farm equipment.”

Though they have a right to be on the highway, Karasiuk pointed out there is an onus on farmers as well. Part of that is to make sure their equipment is properly marked and well lit, but that’s not the only aspect of it.

“Please make sure these pieces of equipment are moved safely, during daylight hours,” he said. “Please make sure when you’re crossing even the smallest of secondary roads, stop, look both ways, and make sure it’s safe to do so.”

According to SGI, instances of crashes with farm equipment are rare, but each crash is more likely to result in serious injury.

Karasiuk added that many farmers are out moving equipment already based on his recent drive home from Saskatoon, and some will be starting to seed very soon now that the weather has improved.

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rob.mahon@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RobMahonPxP