<p><strong>The (Seymour) Tribune</strong></p>
<p>Mother Nature tried to fool us with winter-like conditions for the first few weeks of spring.</p>
<p>All that did was compress the time farmers have to complete planting.</p>
<p>That means plenty of those big farm tractors and implements will be out and about during planting season.</p>
<p>It takes a surprisingly short amount of time for a car traveling 55 mph to come upon those slow-moving vehicles.</p>
<p>Similarly, farmers should exercise due caution when they pull their vehicles out onto roads and remember to take the time not to rush or overextend themselves.</p>
<p>We all have responsibilities for being safe.</p>
<p>The Indiana State Police has pointed out some safety issues:</p>
<p>Slow-moving vehicles are required to pull off to the right when three or more vehicles are blocked and cannot pass on the left.</p>
<p>Slow-moving farm machinery traveling at less than 25 mph is required to display a slow-moving vehicle emblem on the back of the equipment.</p>
<p>Motorists, before passing farm machinery, should check to be sure the machinery is not turning left. Look for left turn lights or hand signals. If the machinery slows and pulls toward the right side of the road, the operator may be preparing to make a wide left turn. Likewise, sometimes to make a right turn with equipment, the driver must fade to the left.</p>
<p>Also, determine if the road is wide enough for you and the machinery to safely share and be sure there’s enough distance to pass.</p>
<p>Look for roadside obstacles such as mailboxes, bridges or road signs that may cause the machinery to move to the center of the road.</p>
<p>We all need to be focused on safety and paying attention to what we’re doing, whether it’s driving our car home from work or moving our planter from one field to another.</p>
<p>We thank farmers and the businesses that supply and service their needs for the value they provide our community.</p>
<p>Farm work is certainly demanding, and the economies in managing a farm operation today are staggering. Some smaller farm families operate on margins so thin that one bad crop can lead to financial disaster.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, a significant number of Hoosiers are still willing to take on those challenges.</p>
<p>We join others in supporting Hoosier farmers across the state. They contribute to the social and economic fabric of our community.</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="At issue" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Farmers will soon start planting their fields.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title="Our point" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>We all need to be focused on safety and paying attention to what we’re doing, whether it’s driving our car home from work or moving our planter from one farm field to another.</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
