Drivers encouraged to focus on safety as farm traffic increases

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Published: April 27, 2018

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Drivers encouraged to focus on safety as farm traffic increases

Manitoba Agriculture and Manitoba Infrastructure are encouraging farmers, drivers and agricultural equipment operators to make road safety a priority this spring.  Warmer temperatures mean an increase in oversized equipment travelling on Manitoba highways is expected to begin soon.

Farmers and agricultural equipment operators need to:

  • ensure all machinery is equipped with proper lighting, signage and reflectors when travelling on roadways, as required by The Highway Traffic Act;
  • ensure lights, signage and reflectors are visible and clean;
  • use a pilot vehicle when transporting oversized agricultural equipment;
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  • move equipment during the day on secondary roads whenever possible;
  • ensure equipment fits under power lines and on bridge structures (check width and height); and
  • map out routes before transporting equipment and get appropriate permits from Manitoba Hydro and Manitoba Infrastructure when applicable.

Motorists should:

  • slow down when approaching farm equipment as it is often travelling at reduced speeds and taking up a considerable amount of room on the road;
  • pay attention to turn signals and possible lane changes;
  • only pass when it is clearly safe to do so; and
  • be patient.

For more information about moving farm equipment safely, including dimensions when permits are required, visit the Government of Manitoba website.

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