It’s about that time again, as we are starting to see combines, tractors, grain carts, and semi trucks and trailers moving in and through the county. There are Oklahoma state statutes which specifically address the responsibilities of anyone operating tractors, slow-moving vehicles, and the movement of “implements of husbandry” traveling the roadways, as well as how the motoring public must react to their presence on the public roadways.
For anyone operating one of these types of farm equipment, Title 47 O.S. 11-406(A) states: “…Whenever the width of a farm tractor or implement of husbandry exceeds the width of that portion of a roadway on which the tractor or implement is driven, which is marked as a single lane of traffic, or, if the roadway has not been marked for lanes of traffic and the width of the tractor or implement exceeds more than fifty percent (50%) of the width of the roadway, the operator shall move the tractor or implement, as soon as possible, as far to the right-hand side of the roadway as is practicable and safe upon approach of any oncoming or following vehicle and upon approaching the crest of a hill.”
For the anyone driving a regular car or other normal motor vehicle, Title 47 O.S. 11-406(B) states: “Upon the immediate approach of a farm tractor or implement of husbandry which cannot be moved by the operator thereof to the far right-hand side of the roadway, as required in subsection A of this section, due to the existence of any bridge or guardrail, sign or any other physical impediment which would not safely allow such tractor or implement to travel on the far right-hand side of the road, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately pull over to the far right-hand side of the road and remain in such position until the tractor or implement has passed.”
Take extra precautions while driving during this harvest season, be friendly on the roads with our hard working farmers and their harvest crews, and let’s make this a safe harvest season for everyone!
Original source can be found here
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