Watch out for farm machinery on the roads at planting time, Wisconsin paper reminds readers

The Green Bay Press-Gazette published a story last week that many newspapers with rural audiences should consider running every year or every other year: a story highlighting the increased dangers on rural roads at this time of year. With planting season comes increased farm machinery traffic, and other drivers aren't always aware of how to safely share the roadway with the large, slow-moving equipment.

Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski told the Press-Gazette's Nathan Phelps that drivers "don't understand or respect the dynamics of that equipment, be it the size, its stopping ability or its turning ability."

The article also points to common mistakes drivers make. "Most of the incidents we see with farm equipment and motor vehicles do happen with a left-hand turn," said Cheryl Skjolaas, an extension agriculture safety specialist with the University of Wisconsin. "As that tractor or self-propelled implement operator goes to make that left-hand turn, that car (driver) thinks they're slowing down, and, 'Here's my chance to get by.'" As a result, "they usually end up hitting that rear tire on the tractor." (Read more)