Parson, Kansas — Whether it’s harvest time, planting time or hay baling time, chances are, there are  farm implements on the road.

And even though the farm equipment may be big, slow and cumbersome, motorists still share the roadways with farmers.

According to Kansas State Highway Patrol Trooper and Public Resource Officer Rick Wingate, located in Chanute, Kansas, there are things both farmers and motorists should keep in mind.

“Motorists need to realize that farm implements are traveling much slower than everyone else on the road,” Wingate explains. “The other thing to remember is that, with today’s large equipment, sometimes it isn’t possible for them to get over on the shoulder.”

This, according to him, is when motorists need to display some patience.

Today’s farm equipment is designed to travel about 20 miles per hour. The equipment is wider than the lane they are in and motorists should give them a little extra room.

When it comes to implements moving slow on the road, according to Wingate, reaction time plays a major role.

“Our reaction time from age 18-50 is 3/4 of a second,” he explains. “By the time we see it, we process it, our brain tells our foot to let off the gas and apply the brake, we have traveled several hundred feet at 65 miles per hour.”

“Most farmers know and realize they slow traffic down on highways so they typically are only going to be on them for a short distance or however far it is to their field entrance,” Wingate says.

According to the Kansas Highway Patrol, in 2008 there were 109 crashes involving farm equipment in the state of Kansas.

Two people were killed and 42 were injured in those crashes.

During the 10-year span from 1998 to 2008, there were 1,351 crashes involving farm implements and other vehicles.

In that time frame, 48 people were killed and 493 were injured.

According to Trooper Wingate, the best way to avoid accidents on the road is to be patient and never assume the farmer knows you are behind them.

“When farmers are traveling down the road they are watching oncoming traffic, the shoulders and ditches,” he explains. “What motorists need to ask themselves when they come up behind implements on the road is how important it is to make the pass?”

It’s not uncommon, according to Wingate, that people will make the pass then they slow down and turn a half mile down the road.

“Be patient, farmers can’t get over and more patience makes everything less stressful,” he says.

As important as being patient is, it is also important for motorists to realize the rules of the road apply the same when they are following an implement going 20 miles per hour, or a vehicle going 65 miles per hour.

“You can’t pass in a ‘No Passing Zone,’ even when you are following a slow moving vehicle,” Wingate says. “Motorists also can’t pass if they are within 100 feet of intersections, railroad grade crossings, bridges, elevated structures or tunnels.”

However, rules of the road, safety and patience don’t only apply to motorists on the road. Trooper Wingate feels it is equally important for farmers to be aware of their position on the road.

“Patience applies to farmers as well,” he says. “Don’t pull out in front of oncoming traffic. Wait for vehicles to get past since they are traveling so much faster.”

He also reminds producers to do all they can to avoid letting traffic build up behind them.

“If you see you are holding up several cars find a safe place to pull over and let the traffic go by,” he explains.

Wingate, who is a farmer himself, is fully aware of the issues farmers and motorists alike deal with on the road.

“As big as the equipment is today it is hard to see if you have people behind you, which makes is less safe when you are planning to turn into field entrances,” he says.

Wingate recommends farmers put extension mirrors on their tractors and combines so they can see behind them.

Other safety features on farm implements include lights and flashers.

However, they are only safety features if they are in working order.

“Make sure all of your lights and flashers are working, especially on cab tractors and combines,” Wingate explains.

When it comes to traveling at night, Wingate urges producers to try to avoid it.

“I understand there are times when moving from field to field has to be done after dark,” he says. “In these cases I recommend using a pilot vehicle and possibly a tail vehicle.”

According to him, this is just another precaution and it allows other motorists on the road to know there is something they need to be aware of.

Finally, Trooper Wingate reminds both motorists and farmers to pay close attention.

“Don’t get distracted by cell phones, GPS units, computers and other electronic devices,” he says. “Things happen so much quicker than most people realize. You could be looking down at your phone or Ipod one minute then look up and you could be about to rear-end something in front of  you.”

As expected from any law enforcement officer, Trooper Wingate mentions not only the importance but the legality of wearing seat belts when traveling on roadways.

“Always remember to wear your seat belt. It is a primary law now in Kansas. It has been proven that vehicle occupants are less likely to be injured or killed if they are wearing a seat belt in an accident,” Wingate concludes.