The association points out that this year, harvest time in Latvia has started much earlier than in other years. Therefore, the number of harvesters, tractors, heavy machinery, and other equipment on the roads is increasing rapidly.
Agricultural machinery is large, heavy and slow, so drivers should take all actions, including slowing down, in good time and in a considerate manner. It is also important to keep a close eye on the maneuvers of agricultural machinery on the road.
Valters Zelčs, the head of the association, said that drivers of cars usually take the right-hand shoulder when they want to turn right but heavy machinery may require wide turning angles. If the machinery is in the right-hand side position, there is a possibility that it will turn left or the machinery may approach the center line of the road to turn right.
The head of the association refers to particularly dangerous situations where drivers start an overtaking maneuver when the driver of the machinery wants to turn left, adding that when drivers want to overtake heavy machinery they should not only make sure that there are no other vehicles approaching in the opposite lane but also whether the left turn signal is not on.
He notes that drivers often concentrate on overtaking and do not notice the tractor's flashing left turn, causing the overtaking vehicle to crash into the side of the agricultural machinery as it begins its turning maneuver.
To ensure safety on national roads, the association also urges farmers to make sure that the lights and direction indicators of their machinery are in working order before driving out on the road. Similarly, if longer journeys are to be made with machinery, the association invites farmers to consider periodically letting columns of vehicles pass.
