Safety a Two-Way Street

Fall is the time of year of migration. Geese begin winging their way across the sky, Packer fans fall into line on Highway 41 heading north to Lambeau field and farmers can be seen towing an assortment of farm machinery in and out of farm fields. Like giant ants, the tractors scurry between the field and the silo, laying in a store of feed for the coming winter. And like ants, they tend to leave a trail behind...not necessarily bread crumbs, but at times, clay and muck from the fields.

And for folks like Sharon Roznik who wonder about the perfumed air - it will be over soon. Most farmers who own manure pits, slurrystores or other large containment facilities are also trying to empty them out to create room for the manure to come all winter long. Even as you hold your nose, remember that it's more environmentally friendly to be spreading manure at this time of year when farmers can still knife it into the soil. Not so in the deep of winter when there's more of a chance for runoff on the unyielding frozen ground.

But I digress. Many motorists are unfamiliar with slow moving agricultural machinery. The potential for accidents is high. Equipment operators must be aware of the hazard their use of public roads causes and take necessary precautions. A manure caked slurry spreader is not the most visible piece of equipment even in the daytime. Even with the addition of flashing lights, motorists must take care to slow down to see what's on the road ahead of them. A couple of years ago my brother-in-law who was hauling manure one night was struck from behind by a young, female motorist, knocking the empty tank off its axles into the ditch. Luckily no one was hurt. But if that tank had been full, it might have been a different story.

So remember the following tips: farm tractors have wide loads and generally are going only a short distance before making a wide turn into a field or farm driveway. Even though you can see the tractor, don't be too sure they can see you. So please keep a safe distance. And remember, tractors also have a right to be on the roads.

On the other hand, farmers should make sure their vehicles are equipped with working lights (headlights on the front and flashing lights on the back), CLEAN SMV (slow moving vehicle) signs and be mindful of traffic behind you.

And to both motorists and farmers, the middle finger does not count as a sign!!! Remember, safety is a two-way street.