Make Hay While the Sun Shines
Be patience with farmers while they work. PHOTO | Lynn Bledsoe
Lynn Bledsoe
Gimlet Managing Editor
Hay season is upon us. You may not know what that means for a farmer, but it means they will be on the road more often with tractors, and trucks pulling large wagons full of hay or equipment.
A farmer has to work when the weather is good and many times they have to travel on the roads. Kentucky Farm Bureau would like to remind everyone that farmer is someone’s loved one and they just want them to come home safe every evening.
The roadways can be shared safely with farmers, residents and even some commercial trucks if everyone follows the same rules. Kentucky Farm Bureau would like to urge everyone not to pass in a unsafe condition. Don’t hurry to pull out in front of a tractor or truck hauling machinery or hay, they may not have time to stop. Do not assume they know you are coming around them. Pay attention to turn signals and brake lights on tractors and trucks. Stay off your phone and in general, pay attention.
Rolled hay waiting to be moved. PHOTO | Lynn Bledsoe
From the farmers’ point of view, tractors are loud and big, they also have big blind spots. You may think the farmer sees you, but they don’t always, especially when pulling other machinery. A farmer is also very focused on the job of transporting a large piece of equipment on a narrower road, give them grace to do their job.
It can be frustrating when you are 7 cars back from a tractor but just slow down and be aware that passing can be dangerous to you, other drivers, and the farmer. Most farmers will pull over when it is safe to do so to allow traffic to pass them.
We all need to get where we are going, and farmers understand the frustration of drivers who get behind a slower moving tractor or truck. Sometimes it is even the farmer who gets behind the tractor.
