Drunk driver hits tractor.

4570Man · Feb 22, 2016

IMO it is pretty dumb to drive farm machinery on a highway. I met a guy on a 55 mph road and he was going about 10 mph. To make matters worse it was raining and foggy that day. To make matters even worse he did not have any flashers. Had someone hit this dumb butt it would have likely been a different outcome since he was on a large farm tractor with a round bail on both ends.

grnspot110 · Feb 22, 2016

4570Man said:
IMO it is pretty dumb to drive farm machinery on a highway. I met a guy on a 55 mph road and he was going about 10 mph. To make matters worse it was raining and foggy that day. To make matters even worse he did not have any flashers. Had someone hit this dumb butt it would have likely been a different outcome since he was on a large farm tractor with a round bail on both ends.

And just how are they supposed to get from one farm to another???

4570Man · Feb 22, 2016

grnspot110 said:
And just how are they supposed to get from one farm to another???

A trailer??

grnspot110 · Feb 22, 2016

4570Man said:
A trailer??

Not at all practical in many farming situations! I grew up farming in the 1950's & 60's, worked in the safety business for 29 years after that. I'll agree, safety precautions too often aren't taken, but trailering equipment short distances simply isn't practical.

The real problem in the original post case is the drunk driver that was still on the road!

daugen · Feb 22, 2016

4570, in most farming areas there are tractors all over the roads. Even signs up around here to be careful of
moving farm machinery. Telling them to trailer their tractors is like telling the Amish to trailer the buggies.
Isn't going to happen.
And shouldn't have to.
Drivers should be careful
and share the road with combines as much
as with bicycle riders in some areas and motorcycles everywhere else.

1MOA · Feb 22, 2016

4570Man said:
IMO it is pretty dumb to drive farm machinery on a highway. I met a guy on a 55 mph road and he was going about 10 mph. To make matters worse it was raining and foggy that day. To make matters even worse he did not have any flashers. Had someone hit this dumb butt it would have likely been a different outcome since he was on a large farm tractor with a round bail on both ends.

Did you even read the article? He was on a back road 2 lane road far from a"highway". Matter of fact of you click on the link and look at the map it is 2 lane roads surrounded by farms. look at there Belleview and Pine mountain meet. there is no reason in the world i would not expect a tractor to be there.
https://www.google.com/maps/@34.025...m4!1sf5i2nkTBomyNeUF4-YRGSQ!2e0!7i3328!8i1664

Wagtail · Feb 23, 2016

First and foremost; my condolences & sympathy to the family of the tractor driver. I won't comment on the drunk driver as, too often, they'll receive a minor punishment for the crime and be back on the road in no time.

However. It is up to the tractor operator to keep his or herself as safe as possible. If your working rig doesn't have a ROPS (or equivalent) get one. If your rig doesn't have a seat belt, again... get one, have it installed and use it at all times (gets you in the habit). Attach one or two new and un-faded SMV triangles. Use the four-way flashers with the headlights. My 4105 came with all of these. The road at the bottom of my driveway is marked as a 100kph zone, as are ALL rural roads in Tasmania, with an accompanying sign that says "Drive To The Conditions".

Because there are rare occasions for me to drive my tractor off of my property, I went and bought an amber 'whoop-whoop' light and immediately installed it on my ROPS as it's no good sitting in the box, waiting for me to get around to it.

You have to look out for yourself and give yourself every reasonable chance of coming home safely.

Sorry for the rant.

2ndhalf · Feb 23, 2016

Impossible to keep yourself safe agains complete moron's.... don't drive drunk.. I like to drink as much as the next guy but don't DRIVE!

His tribute.

Mr. Jerry Eugene Robinson Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

daugen · Feb 23, 2016

the video tribute is truly moving, just another guy like us,with two beautiful girls.
But no more awful than losing a life in a car or truck accident.
We need to be very careful when out on the road, on hills, around pto's, under mowers, etc, etc