Motorists must share the road with farmers

Harvest season is under way throughout the corn belt. Farm equipment on roadways will be a common sight in the coming days as harvest continues. It is always good to remind motorists that tractors and other farm equipment are on the roadways. I'm asking for the patience and understanding of motorists during the harvest season. Farmers are under pressure,and have a very limited time in which to harvest their crops in order to get them in storage before the weather turns. So, it's more important than ever that motorists be alert for slow-moving farm vehicles and share the roadway until the harvest is complete. This is not to say that farmers have the right of way. Farmers must practice safety in the field and on the road. Yes, everyone must practice patience,patience,patience. A car going 55mph can come up on a tractor going 15mph very fast. When you see farm equipment up the road ahead of you, then start slowing down right away. Rear ending a wagon or combine will not get you home sooner. In 2007,there were four fatalities involving crashes between cars and farm equipment. Over the past seven years, there have been 1,751 crashes involving farm equipment on Illinois roads, resulting in 37 deaths and 502 injuries. These are figures from just one state. One death is one to many. We want to see our children grow up, and our grand children. Please drive safely, and have a great fall.