BISMARCK — Many of you may have noticed the increasing signs of spring. The additional birds chirping, branches sounding heavier as the wind blows when the buds start to put leaves on.
But the other thing you’re going to notice, is an increase in traffic when you’re traveling the rural roads. It may be a grain truck. It may be a tractor with an air seeder on it. But it’s a time that we must remind ourselves on the farm and those of us that come out to the country to enjoy the beauties that we have out in rural North Dakota, that safety must be first when you’re traveling out there this time of year.
There are a lot of hours being put in by farmers and ranchers all across this state. Those in the south have noticed it for a couple of weeks already. Those in central and northern North Dakota, you’re really getting into the heart of the time where that increased traffic will be out there when you’re going out to enjoy one of those beautiful spring days.
But when you’re out there, take extra caution. When you’re coming over the hills, around that corner or around that bend, coming to the blind spots that may be on some roadways and some intersections, always be aware that there may be a slower moving vehicle than you, or there may be a bigger vehicle that needs to share that same roadway, so that they can get the spring work done to have a bountiful harvest this fall.
We love to share what we enjoy out in the rural countryside. So, don’t be afraid to come out, just be more cautious of what your surroundings are. If you park along the road, make sure that you’re visible; your hazard lights are on. And if you’re farmers and ranchers out there, as we all know, those hazard lights are important for us to use to warn folks when we have a larger-sized vehicle or a slower-moving vehicle for them to watch out for.
So come on out, share our beauty out here, and we’ll do our part to stay safe, you do your part to stay safe, and we will all be successful in North Dakota, once again, like we do every year; get the crop in the ground, the livestock to pasture and have beautiful scenery for all to enjoy across our great North Dakota landscape.
For questions or comments, please contact Dawn Smith-Pfeifer.
— Daryl Lies, President of North Dakota Farm Bureau
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