Traffic and tractors can be a dangerous mix on area roads
NW GUILFORD COUNTY -- The scenario is common in the northwest area. A driver, running late for an appointment, hurries along a local road. Up ahead, a farmer is moving his tractor from one field on his farm to another. While both have a right to use the road, courtesy and patience will be required from both to avoid an accident or potential tragedy.
It's a classic tale of new meets old, progress meets tradition, suburbia meets agriculture. And it's a source of irritation to some new and older residents who like the rural atmosphere of this area, but don't always like all that comes with it.
As the population in the northwest area grows, so do road-sharing issues. Oak Ridge farmer Kyle Anders broached the subject at the July town council meeting. "I've had everything from 'California hellos,' being called names, to almost being run off the road," Anders told the council. He reported an incident in which seven cars passed him in a blind curve on Highway 150 -- "the last one that passed me went maybe 25 feet before they turned into Williard Oaks. I don't know what can be done, but someone is really going to get hurt bad."
Oak Ridge has asked the DOT to determine if there is justification to reduce the speed limits in several areas, and to investigate posting signs indicating slow-moving farm equipment use those roads.
"I don't have a problem with people passing, but there's not that many places on (Highway) 150 to pass," Anders says. "It bothers me that they'll pass you on a curve," -- something he fears will one day cause a head-on collision. Anders says he tries to use the road during less heavily-traveled times, and sometimes even leaves his tractor at one of the areas he farms and picks it up later in order to avoid traffic.
Other area farmers agree with Anders, with many saying the situation is getting worse. When recently queried on how Oak Ridge has changed over the years, Sadie Craven said, "Traffic is a battle -- moving farm equipment up and down (the road) between different farms. That's a big problem, and it becomes bigger each and every year that goes by."
The UNC Highway Safety Research Center says many crashes reported involve rear-end collisions and left-turn crashes which occur when another vehicle is attempting to pass the farm vehicle. Oak Ridge's Rick Brown, whose farming and landscaping business keeps him out on area roads, says, "Every time I take my tractor out and have to make a left-hand turn, I feel like I'm taking my life in my own hands."
Stokesdale's Lyndon Combs lives and farms on Highway 68, one of the area's busiest roads. "There are some considerate drivers out there, and some that don't care for nothing," he says. "I see a difference (in the amount of traffic) about every year. Sometimes I can't even get on the highway in my pickup truck for 10 or 15 minutes. Then sometimes it's hard to get off (the road) to come back home because people are pushing me from behind."
A couple of years ago, a tanker truck cut back in front of Combs so abruptly that its back tires would have hit his tractor had he not slowed quickly and veered to the right. Now he often runs his small tractors on the shoulder of the road, but that's not always possible -- or safe.
Traveling Highways 68, 158 and 65, as well as Ellisboro, Gideon Grove and Lester Roads around Stokesdale on a tractor has definitely become more challenging, confirms Ted Richardson. The semi-retired farmer says he has been struck by other vehicles four times over the years, but never seriously injured. "Usually it's somebody trying to pass when they don't have room. If they're mad, they'll cut back in front of you real quick. You see that mouth moving when they go by, (and) see that hand gesture."
The National Safety Council reports that agriculture is the most dangerous industry in the nation, and highway traffic is one of its hazards. Although local farmers report using safety precautions, it takes awareness of both farmers and other drivers to avoid accidents. For example, farmers should have slow moving vehicle signs and consider having flashing lights installed on equipment, and they should always use hand signals when turning or stopping. Farmers are also encouraged to use a two-point turn system in which, whenever possible, they pull off the right side of the road, then make sure traffic has cleared in both directions before turning left.
But many area residents do not recognize a slow moving vehicle sign, a reflective orange triangle bordered by red. When it comes to hand signals, Anders says, "I don't think people understand hand signals anymore."
Farm equipment is legal on most roads except interstates. The N.C. Driver's Handbook says, "When sharing the road with farm equipment, you must obey the rules of the road. It is illegal and very dangerous to pass farm equipment in a no passing zone." Farm equipment may be wider than it appears from behind, and it may be difficult to see traffic approaching from the opposite direction.
In analyzing crashes between farm and non-farm vehicles, the Highway Safety Research Center study reports that between 1992 and 1998, farm vehicle operators were at fault in 35 percent of the crashes, while 42 percent were caused by the other drivers. Both drivers were deemed at fault 17 percent of the time. Over 80 percent of crashes occurred when the farm vehicle was going straight (48 percent), turning left (17 percent) or the other vehicle was passing (16 percent). Other statistics show the crashes are more likely to occur in the spring and summer, with the highest incidence in May; that most occur between 3 and 6 p.m.; and most were likely to involve a collision with a 2- or 4-door passenger vehicle or pickup truck.
"Everybody's in such a big hurry anymore," Combs laments. "I think they're not as considerate as they used to be. In other words, they think farmers don't have no right out on the highway. But if you've got to go from one farm to another, you've got no choice," he says.
To signal a left turn: Hold arm and hand straight out and point the first finger.
To signal a right turn: Hold the arm straight out and the forearm and hand straight up, palm facing forward.
To indicate stopping and slowing down: Point the arm and hand down, palm facing back.
What can farmers do?
What can other drivers do?
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