The Grey Bruce OPP offered some tips to farmers as an increasing number of them are operating them at more than one site and spending more time on area roadways.
They include some safety tips & laws surrounding the operation of tractors on the highway.
- You do not need a driver’s licence to operator a farm tractor or self-propelled implement of husbandry.
- You must be at least 16 years old to drive farm machinery on the highway.
- Operators less than 16-years-old can only drive farm vehicles and machinery directly across the highway.
- It is illegal to operate any farm equipment, on or off highway, while impaired by alcohol or drugs.
- If your driver’s licence has been suspended by an impaired driving conviction, you cannot drive farm machinery on a highway.
- You should drive on the travelled portion of the highway as the shoulder may not be able to support the weight of your farm equipment.
- You shall yield half the roadway to oncoming vehicles.
- You shall have headlights and taillights on between sunset and sunrise or when the weather is unfavourable.
- When towing implements, the rear-most unit must have at least 1 red taillight. Farm vehicles or towed equipment over 2.6 metres wide must have 2 taillights.
- You shall display a slow-moving vehicle sign at the rear of the farm machinery or item that is being towed.
- When displaying a slow-moving vehicle sign, your speeds cannot exceed 40 km/hr.
- Farm wagons and implements drawn behind a farm tractor, pickup truck or any other vehicle must have two separate means of attachment.
- Flood lights and general service lights are useful for field work. They must not be used when operating on a highway
Police also shared a document of pertinent information from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture on the topic.