ST. JOHNS, Mich. — The Michigan Soybean Committee, with support from the Maryland Soybean Board and the United Soybean Board, is partnering in the “Find Me Driving” road safety campaign to raise motorists’ awareness of farm equipment drivers on the roads this spring.
“As rural accidents are increasing in number with greater physical and economic losses, the Maryland Soybean Board proactively identified farm vehicle road safety awareness as a priority,” commented Belinda Burrier, MSB Chair and USB Director. “We are delighted that our fellow soybean organizations are joining in this safety initiative.”
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, only 30% of the total vehicle miles traveled in 2017 were in rural areas, yet 46% of all traffic fatalities in 2017 occurred in rural areas. The fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. was 2.1 times higher in rural areas than urban areas. Every state reported a higher percent of rural area fatalities than urban areas.
Michigan is home to more than 47,000 farms and this time of year, these farmers are planting crops across the state using large, slow-moving machinery that sometimes needs to be on roads with fast-moving cars and trucks.
“In our area we only have a short window of opportunity to plant and harvest our crops,” commented Dennis Garner of Croswell. “We have updated our equipment so it is bigger and can plant more acres and harvest more in a day. In saying that of course that means we take up more of the road while moving from field to field.”
Farmers are encouraging motorists to become more aware of what to do when encountering farm vehicles and equipment on public roads. Online Find Me Driving campaign resources feature SAM, the campaign’s mascot, whose name means ‘Slow down, Assess your surroundings, Move with caution’ and resembles the high-reflectance slow moving vehicle triangle emblem required on all vehicles traveling under 25 mph. Visitors to the site can find tips about how to safely drive when encountering farm equipment and encourages motorists to look for the bright orange triangle on tractors, combines, maintenance trucks and other large, slow-moving vehicles. Resources also include lighting and marking guidelines for farm equipment, as well as tips when driving slow moving vehicles in traffic.
“I would ask people that travel on roads with farm machinery to please be patient, I want to be able to see my family every night when I get done working,” concluded Gardner.
About Michigan Soybean Committee: The Michigan Soybean Committee manages checkoff resources to increase return on investment for Michigan soybean farmers while enhancing sustainable soybean production. To learn more about the Michigan Soybean Committee visit us at www.michigansoybean.org.
About United Soybean Board: United Soybean Board’s 78 volunteer farmer-directors work on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers to achieve maximum value for their soy checkoff investments. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds in programs and partnerships to drive soybean innovation beyond the bushel and increase preference for U.S. soy. That preference is based on U.S. soybean meal and oil quality and the sustainability of U.S. soybean farmers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff. For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit unitedsoybean.org.
–Michigan Soybean Committee
United Soybean Board