Galesburg Reporter

As the season drifts from summer into fall, farmers in Illinois are preparing to harvest their crops — and they want to make sure drivers don't become impatient as they too are navigating the roads with large machinery.

State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) also warned her constituents to be on the lookout for large farm equipment this time of year. 

"It's harvest season, and that means long hours in the fields," Sen. Tracy wrote in a Sept. 20 post on her Facebook page. "Drivers, please slow down and watch for farmers and their equipment."

In the post, Tracy included a video of interviews with local farmers and their tips about sharing the roads.

"Keep your eyes open and be aware that this equipment is bigger and slower than them," one farmer said. "Please give us a few moments to realize you're behind us so that we can make adjustments accordingly so that you can come and pass around us."

Another farmer asked drivers to not only slow down, but also not to drive distracted, meaning no texting and talking while driving. 

"Just remember the person in the bigger machine, even though it is a lot of great technology, we still have to look around us and having that person behind us or in front of us working with us is a great thing," he said. 

The video was shared as part of the 2021 Harvest Season Campaign, an effort to educate motorists about what they should do to help share the roads with large farm equipment.

It encourages drivers to remain alert, pack their patience, and be courteous as they drive through the areas around farms during this time of year in particular.