As the seasons change, so does the colour of leaves and in Dufferin County, so does the look of local traffic. Provincial police are urging residents to be careful as combines, wagons, trucks and other large agricultural equipment are expected to be on local roads, as farmers prepare to gather their harvest for the year. “With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it can be easy to forget where our food comes from and the important work being done by the farmers in our community,” Dufferin OPP said in a post shared on social media. According to OPP, potatoes, beans and a variety of other crops are grown in Dufferin and harvested each fall. Police are asking residents to slow down when approaching agricultural equipment on local roads, giving both drives extra time to react and adjust their speed according to the situation. “We know it can be frustrating to come up behind an agricultural vehicle displaying an orange slow-moving vehicle sign when you are trying to get somewhere,” OPP said. “However, rather than becoming frustrated or attempting a risky pass, slow down, be patient and enjoy the moment.” “Take a breath, take in the scenery and remember that the vehicle ahead of you is helping bring food from our local fields to our tables,” said police. Residents are encouraged to give themselves and the farm equipment plenty of space on the road. Police remind residents that farming equipment can sometimes be larger than road lanes and may need to drive partially on the shoulder or make turns. Police say to be especially cautious when the large machinery is making a turn, as the turns may be especially wide or the vehicle may make an unexpected looking movement. Motorists are asked to practice general caution on rural roads, as farm equipment can enter or exit fields or driveway with little warning and often mud or debris left behind on the roadway can create an additional hazard for drivers.
