Motorists are urged to be patient when approaching oversize vehicles during harvest time.
Farm machinery and trucks are becoming a common sight on our roads as the mobilisation process is set in motion for another big harvest across regional NSW.
Drivers are urged to take extra care on the roads as the bumper harvest will mean there are more trucks and farm machinery on the roads, as well as a surge in activity on level crossings where trains are not often seen, according to Parkes, Forbes and Lachlan Shire Councils’ Road Safety and Injury Prevention Officer, Melanie Suitor.
“When approaching an oversize vehicle: be patient, reduce your speed and wait for a safe opportunity to pass. Don’t drive right behind the farm machinery because the operator can’t see you.
“Trucks may also have trailers attached and can be longer or wider than expected, so drivers need to take extra care when changing lanes and should not try and overtake until it is safe,” said Melanie.
An awareness campaign with fold down grain truck warning signs positioned along key harvest routes and at silos, and a radio campaign will remind drivers what to do when they encounter farm machinery on the road. “We want everyone to get home safely this harvest,” said Melanie.