It is Harvest Season in Illinois, and the Illinois State Police is reminding motorists to use caution this time of year while traveling on rural roadways. Trooper Marla Tolliver says farmers will be traveling at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less as they move equipment from field to field. She states farm machinery is required to have a slow moving vehicle emblem mounted to the rear of the vehicle. If towing another piece of farm equipment, a slow moving emblem must be mounted on the farm implement being towed. She says the most important thing is to be patient and drive at a safe driving distance, and reduce your speed when seeing slow moving equipment in front of you. "The main thing I would say is share the road. Both individuals need to do their part, the farmer and the motorist, and if they do that, then everybody will be safer for it", said Tolliver. Motorists should not attempt to pass the farm equipment unless it is legal and safe to do so, even if the farm operator waves you around. If traffic begins to back up behind the farm implement, the operator should look for a place to pull over and allow traffic to pass. Farmers should avoid movements of farm machinery at sunrise and sunset, as visibility is more limited during these times. ICpqT
