Share the Road this Harvest Season

South Dakota Farmers Union would like to remind farmers and rural community members to keep their best safety practices in place this harvest season. As farmers are out working their fields, motorists are more likely to find themselves sharing the road with large farm equipment. For farmers and motorists, knowledge is key, when it comes to staying safe and sharing busy road ways. Transportation incidents, which include tractor overturns, are the leading cause of death for farmers and farm workers.Five ways to stay safe and share the road:

1. Slow down when meeting a car/farm implement on the road.
2. Avoid distractions like texting and driving.
3. Turn on your vehicles headlights. Four-way flashers should be used in machinery.
4. Make sure machinery is completely shut off before performing maintenance.
5. Educate children about safe places to play on the farm.

“South Dakota Farmers Union cares about your safety. We hope you take these tips and stay safe this harvest season.” – Doug Sombke, SDFU President