As the wheat turns golden and the harvest season begins, it's an important time for drivers to exercise extra caution and patience when operating a motor vehicle around farm trucks, tractors, and combines. Every year the Kansas Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies investigate numerous crashes between passenger vehicles and farm vehicles, many of which could have been prevented.

"Located in the heart of the nation, Kan. is known for its farming operations. Agriculture is an important industry within the state. During harvest, it's important that we drive responsibly to ensure the safety of the farmers and other motorists on the roads throughout the state of Kan.," Kan. Highway Patrol Superintendent, Colonel Terry Maple said.

Most farm equipment is not designed to travel at highway speeds and may only be designed to travel 15-25 miles per hour. Farm equipment is often wider than other vehicles, and sometimes wider than the lane of traffic, so extra room should be allowed when traveling near a farm implement on the road. Extra caution should be practiced on all roads, but especially on the busy rural roads with unmarked intersections.

"As harvest season moves into full swing over the next several weeks, rural roads and other roadways in Kan. will see an increase in slow moving vehicles and farm equipment. It's so important that drivers practice patience to aid in everyone's safety," Maple said. "There have already been a few serious crashes in western Kan. involving farm implements and other vehicles, and the Patrol would like nothing more than to see crashes of this sort end, and our residents and travelers safe."

Here are some safety tips to keep in mind when sharing Kan. roads with farmers:

Don't assume the farmer knows you're there. Most operators of farm equipment will regularly check to see if there is a vehicle behind them, however most of their time must be spent looking ahead to keep the equipment safely on the road and to watch for oncoming traffic. Farm vehicles are also extremely loud, often hindering the farmer's ability to hear your vehicle.

Pass with extreme caution. Do not pass a farm implement unless you can see clearly ahead of both your vehicle and the farm equipment you are passing. If there are any curves or hills blocking your view of oncoming traffic, wait to pass until you can clearly visualize the area you're passing in. Another important thing to remember is that you should not pass in a designated "No Passing Zone," even if you are stuck behind a farm vehicle. Do not pass if you are within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevated structure, or tunnel.

Allow extra room when following farm equipment. With slow moving vehicles, a passenger vehicle can close in on the empty space much more quickly than you close in on a regular vehicle. Also remember that just because a farm vehicle pulls to the right side of the road does not mean it is turning right or allowing you to pass. Often, due to the size of some farm equipment, the farmer must execute wide left turns, so when following a farm implement allow it plenty of room and time to turn, and be alert to the surroundings to see if there might be a driveway or field they are turning into.

Be patient. Don't assume that a farmer can move aside to let you pass. Shoulders may be soft, wet, or steep, which can cause the farm vehicle to tip, or the shoulder may not support the weight of a heavy farm vehicle. The farmer understands you are being delayed and he or she will move over for you to pass at the first safe location available.

Think of the slow moving vehicle emblem as a warning to adjust your speed. When you see the slow moving vehicle emblem, you should immediately slow down. While the emblems are visible from a long distance away, it is often difficult to judge the speed at which you are closing in on a vehicle, especially at night.

Pay attention. Don't allow yourself to be distracted by the radio, cell phones, other electronic devices, or anything else while you are driving. When you are not focused on the road, you increase your chances of a collision, especially if you should come upon a slow moving farm vehicle.

Always wear seatbelts and use child safety seats. This is the best defense against injury and death should you be involved in a motor vehicle crash.