KAGAWONG—”Be safe. Be seen. Be observant. So, we can all get home safely,” is the message that members of the Manitoulin-North Shore Federation of Agriculture (MNSFOA) are sharing to all members of the public who drive a vehicle.
“We have installed this ‘slow moving vehicle’ sign here (just off Highway 540 on Pleasant Valley Road),” said Bill Orford, a director, policy advisor and committee member with MNSFOA. “Billings Township is the first community to have put up this sign. Signs are going to go in other communities as well. In total there will be 50 signs put up in communities, from Meldrum Bay on the Island to the Sables-Spanish River area.”
“We have a lot of farmers in Billings, and throughout Manitoulin Island, and we are looking out for their safety along with members of the public by making the public aware of the need to be cautious when they see and are near large farm machinery on local roads,” stated Dave Hillyard, deputy mayor of Billings Township.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture developed the Revive Fund to offer its 51 county and regional federations the opportunity to launch new projects and initiatives in their local communities this year to help farming and rural communities boost the profile of Ontario’s agricultural industry.
“The aim is to support our grassroots members and agricultural communities by giving back in a way that can make a positive impact through tangible activities. These initiatives focus on health and wellness, agriculture education, farm safety, local foods, environmental stewardship, and leadership development,” a release notes.
“This year, the MNSFOA chose to invest in roadside caution signs to help remind drivers to be more observant of large, slow-moving farm equipment travelling the roadways. Many drivers coming to rural areas are not used to seeing these pieces of machinery on the road,” said Ian Nokes, energy, waste resource and transportation policy analyst with the OFA.
Mr. Orford explained, “we have provided 50 signs to the nine municipalities on Manitoulin Island, up to Dawson Robinson and covering the area from Massey to Spanish as well,” said Mr. Orford.
Mr. Nokes said the installation of the sign just off Highway 540 highway and down the Pleasant Valley Road “is a perfect place for one of these signs. For cottagers and hunters and those wanting to get their destination may be in a rush to get there. This sign will remind them to slow down and be aware of large, slow moving farm vehicles.”
Councillor Hillyard said it has been documented that most motor vehicle accidents take place five kilometres from home and the last 15-20 minutes someone is making on a trip.
“If a slow-moving vehicle like a tractor is in front of your vehicle on the highway it could take a matter of seconds for a driver to catch up to them,” said Mr. Nokes. “Drivers need to realize there is something large and slow moving on the road, and realize they need to slow down and be cautious; not whip and pass by a slow-moving farm equipment vehicle.”
“The township is 100 percent in favour of putting this sign up,” said Councillor Hillyard. “I have driven tractors that are loaded with silage. Even when we are turning left, I have seen vehicles pass them on the left on the shoulder of the road. The response time for a driver in a large farm equipment vehicle is slow,” he said.
Mike Johnston, chair of the MNSFOA said he recalls an incident where he was driving a large piece of farm equipment on a road and, “the guy in a vehicle behind me passed me on the left.”
Drivers also need to remember what farm equipment has on the front of their vehicle.
“The most common type of incident that occurs is a driver approaching a farm equipment vehicle and does not reduce their speed, and they blow past the farm equipment vehicle. But under the laws you are required to slow to the speed of the vehicle in front of you and then pass,” said Mr. Nokes.
“Drivers also need to understand that a farmer has blind spots running one of these vehicles,” said Mr. Nokes. Laws mandate that farmers operating slow moving vehicles must maintain their lane, not pull off to the shoulder of the road.
“Drivers can be charged for careless or dangerous driving,” said Mr. Nokes. “We all want to get home safely.”
“We hope this new sign helps start the conversation on what people need to think about when they come across farm equipment. It can be difficult for farmers to see other drivers on the road,” said Mr. Nokes. “And it is not safe for farmers to pull large heavy vehicles off to the shoulder. When you approach a large tractor you should slow down, be patient, and only pass when it is safe do so. And keep in mind we are usually only travelling a short distance to the farm or a field.”
