A Wisconsin Farm Group is Asking Motorists to be Cautious Around Farm Equipment
Saturday, April 16th, 2016 -- 6:57 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -With the spring planting season finally underway, one Wisconsin farm group is asking motorists to be cautious around slow-moving farm equipment that they share the roads with.Wisconsin Corn Growers President Casey Kelleher is reminding drivers that it is illegal to pass farm machinery in a no passing zone. Kelleher is talking about a change to the state law in 2014 that makes it illegal to pass farm equipment in a no passing zone regardless of their speed. This leads to confusion among drivers as it is still legal to pass vehicles in no passing zones that are gong less than half of the posted speed limit.
Meanwhile, farm equipment operators also have responsibilities for safety on roadways. Kelleher says operators must yield the right-of-way to an oncoming vehicle and yield half the roadway. They may not drive on the left side of the roadway, on a grade or curve or area designated as no passing zone if it creates a hazard to oncoming traffic. Also, they may not drive so slowly as to impede the normal movement of traffic, and must, if practicable, yield the roadway to an overtaking vehicle.
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