We have entered that time of year again when motorists can expect to share the road with farm equipment.

Renee Simcoe is Communications Coordinator for the Manitoba Farm Safety Program. According to Simcoe, on average there are 20 collisions each year in this province involving farm equipment and motor vehicles. She says often collisions occur because farmers are tired or in a hurry and usually during morning or evening rush hours.

Simcoe says one of the keys is for farmers to be hydrated and rested. If you are going to be working for long periods, she suggests having snacks and water on board.

Simcoe says one thing they like to stress is for farmers to make eye contact with motorists when they are moving over to be passed and for motorists to make eye contact with farmers when they pull out to pass that farm equipment.

"Because one of the things that quite often happens is incidents occur when there's passing," says Simcoe. "Whether it's when a piece of machinery is turning and a motorist goes to pass and they collide that way or if a motorist goes to pass and there is oncoming traffic."

Simcoe urges farmers never to wave vehicles by from behind. She notes it should be the motorist who decides whether or not they want to pass. Otherwise, a motorist could feel pressured to pass, when in fact they do not feel safe to do so.

Another tip is for farmers to plan their route accordingly. If you have to travel during rush hour, Simcoe suggests taking a less busy route.

According to Simcoe, all farm equipment is permitted to be operated on roadways. However, in some cases special permits are required if the outermost part of the equipment is hanging over the center line. Similarly, there are special permits required once farm equipment reaches a certain length.

She notes a pilot vehicle should be used at night if the equipment is extra long or is self-propelled. Simcoe says escort vehicles are not required for any implements or farm tractors being operated or towed along a highway. However, if something is loaded on a trailer, an escort vehicle is required for loads up to 6.1 metres in length that protrude over the center line. She says if you are pulling something extra long or extra wide in the evening, it is a good idea to also have an escort vehicle, though not required.

Also, she suggests farmers make sure their equipment is always clean and that lights and reflectors are visible and in working order.

Simcoe says when a motorist is driving behind farm machinery with its four-way flashers on, they can eventually stop noticing those flashing lights. Then, when the farmer puts their signal on to turn, the motorist travelling behind does not even notice it. She suggests that if a farmer is getting ready to turn, they should shut their flashing lights off for about ten seconds in order to put their turn signal on, thus making it more obvious to motorists travelling behind.

And finally, Simcoe says with many farmers having hired hands, not all of them are comfortable driving farm equipment on the road. She says be sure to check with these workers before sending them out as they may not have much experience and could need some orientation.