"Be aware and slow down." That from Pembina Valley RCMP Sergeant Darcy Thiessen as we begin to see large farm equipment moving from field to field on our highways and rural roads this harvest season.
"Obviously, the farmers have an agenda, and they have a short timeframe. They're trying to get their crops off and get the field work done. So, just share the road," he added.
What do I do?
Much of the machinery is large and can take up quite a bit of the road.
If you meet one head-on, Sgt. Thiessen recommends slowing down, moving to the right as far as you can, allowing you both to pass each other safely. If this happens on a narrow rural road, the Sergeant even suggests pulling over and stopping, waiting until the dust settles and the road is clear before moving along.
If you happen to encounter slow moving farm equipment from the rear, Sgt. Thiessen says again, to take your time and be patient, follow at a safe distance and wait until they or you need to turn off.
"Everyone seems to be in a hurry, and I understand that, but taking your time can mean the difference between getting home safely or getting into a collision," he said.