Motorists should take extra precautions during harvest

Falling back into this late harvest means slow-moving farm equipment could be on the road well after dark.

So here are some safety tips from the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office:

For motorists:

■ Reduce speed when encountering farm equipment.

■ Keep a safe distance from the farm equipment so the farmer can see you. If you can’t see their mirrors, they can’t see you.

■ Pass wide, large farm equipment only if you know conditions are safe and you are sure the farmer will not be making a left turn.

■ Be prepared to yield to wide equipment.

For farmers:

■ Try to avoid rush hours, bad weather, busy roads and dark skies.

■ Use reflective slow-moving-vehicle emblems and reflectors or reflective tape on any machinery operated on public roads.

■ Turn on hazard lights mounted on farm equipment and turn off field work lights for all roadway travel.

■ Install mirrors wide enough to see what is following you.

■ Pull over temporarily to allow traffic to pass.

■ When practical, truck larger equipment to the next location.