On road safety

[williamemack]

I am frequently appalled at the lack of automotive respect for my tractor on the country roads. I have my SMV triangle, my four way flashers flashing and cars approach at high speed figuring they will be able to sail by when they get to me or get impatient (after 30 seconds) waiting for me to pull over, and pass in the most dangerous, blind places. When push comes to shove, it is going to be the tractor that gets sacrificed if a head on is imminent.

So what I do is crowd the center line making it less attractive to pass AND I swerve left and right erratically as if I'm about to make a turn and cars often back off. This works pretty well. I also pull over whenever possible.

What works for you?

 

[LD1]

I am frequently appalled at the lack of automotive respect for my tractor on the country roads. I have my SMV triangle, my four way flashers flashing and cars approach at high speed figuring they will be able to sail by when they get to me or get impatient (after 30 seconds) waiting for me to pull over, and pass in the most dangerous, blind places. When push comes to shove, it is going to be the tractor that gets sacrificed if a head on is imminent.

So what I do is crowd the center line making it less attractive to pass AND I swerve left and right erratically as if I'm about to make a turn and cars often back off. This works pretty well. I also pull over whenever possible.

What works for you?

Not much you can do. Some people are just idiots. I have almost had a front row view to a few accidents because of people passing me on hills or curves.

At least if you get in a collision, you'll beat the ambulance their by about 15 minutes:laughing::laughing:

But in all seriousness, you are doing about everything right. Allthough I wouldnt go as far as swerving erratically. But just be defensive, keep a keen eye behind you. Make eye contact with the driver, if possible. And always be ready to swerve to the ditch and hang on for the ride. While my tractor isnt real big or heavy, to a small car, they probabally arent going to want to hit me especially with the FEL. So I dont think my tractor will be the one sacrificed if given the choice. But always be prepared.

And you can also try to get a license # if you can remember it. If the guy is a local, maybe the local sherrif can pay him a visit. Not much they can do, but maybe will make the guy think twice next time.

 

[JimRB]

I drive a slow moving vehicle on the road a lot. But I try to find low traffic load roads to operate my slow vehicle. I see idiots all the time doing really stupid passes. Note that my slow moving vehicle is a bicycle. My tractor has a top speed half of what I ride my bicycle at. I did not enjoy driving my tractor to the neighbor's 4 miles down the road at 10 mph. People are idiots whether you are operating a school bus, a tractor hauling hay or grain, pedestrians or cyclists. I do the pull over stuff when I am driving my truck slow on the way to the dump with a big load I did not properly secure (shame on me).

 

[williamemack]

Hey LD1, do you know the last 4 words a "good old boy" does just before he dies?.... Hey Bubba, watch this!:laughing:

 

[aczlan]

4 ways and a strobe anytime we go down the road. I take up all of my lane unless it is safe to pass, in which case, I pull over to the shoulder and wave the cars behind me past.
I have been in the middle of my lane WITH my left turn signal on when a lady passed me on the left as I started to turn left. She was doing at least 70 (in a 55) because she wasn't even in sight when I turned my head to check before turning. She squealed her tires and went around on the shoulder, then floored it again. All the while she was holding her phone up to her ear and talking to someone.

Aaron Z

 

[LD1]

Hey LD1, do you know the last 4 words a "good old boy" does just before he dies?.... Hey Bubba, watch this!:laughing:

DID YOU SEE MY SIGNATURE LINE???????:laughing::laughing:

 

[williamemack]

Yeah LD1, I did see your signature line. That is what prompted me to offer up my joke. I bet we could have a good joke thread on this site!

 

[wvpolekat]

I don't have much occasion to road my tractor. But, generally, I throw the 4 ways on (well double sided 2 ways), and smile and wave at the idiots.

I do try to make it as easy as possible for them to pass when I feel it is safe for everyone. I will pull over off the road and let them by.

I did almost get hit head on by a guy with a bale spear on his FEL the other day. He was not paying attention and was well into my lane and I had nowhere to go.

 

[dodge man]

Well, I don't like the idea of you swerving back and forth, bad idea. When I went home from work last Friday, I followed a pretty good sized John Deere for about 5 minutes, and she was swerving back and forth a lot. I admit I got pretty impatient, and there were plenty of safe places to get around her if she had just slowed a little a pulled over a couple of feet. I'm guessing the lady driving the thing was just lousy at it and she wasn't doing it intentionally.

Keep in mind that people get impatient, and you could be the cause of an accident swerving back and forth. If they try and pass you when on a hill, thats not your fault.

 

[williamemack]

Dave, you may think it's a bad idea, but it sure makes them pause and think. I only do this when there is no opportunity to pull over and passing would be dangerous.