Be careful out there !

   / Be careful out there ! #2  
What a waste. I have never understood how a driver can't see something as big as a tractor.
 
   / Be careful out there ! #3  
Who knows. They say that unless you have defensive driving training, in a panic situation, you tend to head toward that which you would rather avoid.

It seems that skill and having some brains are simply not requirements to operate a motor vehicle.
 
   / Be careful out there ! #4  
It is devastating to see a life lost - particularly a fellow FF. However, This is a safety forum and with that I have a few points and take always-

The speed limit on the road in the article is 50mph
The article states it was nighttime
No mention of a pilot vehicle or chase vehicle
No mention of the lighting the tractor had and or was using.

Some safety tips and take always-

Avoid driving a tractor on roads- especially high speed roads or highways.
Avoid night driving.
If above situations are unavoidable have a chase vehicle with proper DOT flashers etc. If it's a high speed road you may need two vehicles- One to slow vehicles from 50mph to say 30mph and another down to the 10mph or so a typical tractor can go.

No one sees tail lights and assumes they are traveling 40-50mph slower than you are. The is devastating for all parties.
 
   / Be careful out there ! #5  
I don't even know what the rules (highway traffic act) are here. A slow moving vehicle requires only an SMV and (very rudimentary) lighting at night. I don't know about escorts. We are not allowed to hold up traffic in a regular vehicle. If an accident happened on account of a slow moving escort, that could become interesting.
 
   / Be careful out there ! #6  
Here a 50 mph speed limit is NOT considered a high speed road. Only roads in SC I have ever seen any kind of limit on slow moving vehicles are interstate. That aside what is legal and what is safe is not always the same and safe is more important than legal. Yes sad.
 
   / Be careful out there ! #7  
When I have to take my Kubota "around the block" on public roads to get to the back side of my property, I turn on every light on the tractor, including all the extra high power LED lights I have installed, particularly the work lights to the rear. I'm lit up like a christmas tree but that may not even be enough. Last year, in an interesting twist..., one of our local firemen fell asleep coming home and ran into the back of a guy bushhogging the roadside. Serious injuries. You wonder, how can you miss that big orange/red thing? Well, talk on the phone or text enough, or simply fall asleep, and you sure can. Btw, I religiously put my seat belt on when I'm out on the road. That ROPS can't help me if I'm flying around in there, or get ejected under the rolling tractor.
 
   / Be careful out there ! #8  
When I have to take my Kubota "around the block" on public roads to get to the back side of my property, I turn on every light on the tractor, including all the extra high power LED lights I have installed, particularly the work lights to the rear. I'm lit up like a christmas tree but that may not even be enough. Last year, in an interesting twist..., one of our local firemen fell asleep coming home and ran into the back of a guy bushhogging the roadside. Serious injuries. You wonder, how can you miss that big orange/red thing? Well, talk on the phone or text enough, or simply fall asleep, and you sure can. Btw, I religiously put my seat belt on when I'm out on the road. That ROPS can't help me if I'm flying around in there, or get ejected under the rolling tractor.

Another problem is, if you're going up a hill, and even if you have a Chase vehicle, people will pass you in the other lane even though it is obviously not safe to do so.
 
   / Be careful out there ! #9  
Very sad news. We can't second guess the circumstances involved, but seatbelt use is equally important while roading a tractor. I occasionally road mine, and if hit I really want to stay on the machine.
Chase vehicles may have their place under certain conditions, but most of the time i believe they make things more hazardous.
 
   / Be careful out there ! #10  
Feeling bad to see one die. One may possess ample amount of skill sets, but when the end comes nothing works!!!
 

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