COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Planting season is soon set to begin across Branch County and Southwest Michigan, bringing a surge of heavy agricultural machinery to local roadways.
Farmers are preparing to transport large equipment, including tractors and planters, between fields to meet the optimal window for spring crops. Motorists should expect frequent encounters with these slow-moving vehicles, which typically travel at speeds of only 10 to 25 mph. Because modern farm implements can be wider than a single lane, sometimes reaching up to 20 feet in width, drivers are urged to remain patient as farmers navigate narrow shoulders and obstacles like mailboxes or guardrails.
The Michigan State Police (MSP) recommends several key tips for safely sharing the road with farm machinery.
They say drivers should slow down immediately upon seeing a vehicle with a bright orange Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) triangle and maintain a following distance of at least 50 feet. MSP officials caution against “panic passing,” advising motorists to only pass when there is clear visibility and no oncoming traffic, as farmers often need to make wide left-hand turns that can be easily misinterpreted.
Additionally, motorists are reminded that if they cannot see the farmer in the equipment’s mirrors, the farmer likely cannot see them, making it critical to avoid blind spots.
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