Motorists urged to use caution during planting season

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois drivers should watch out for increasing farm traffic on rural roadways in the new few weeks. Record-high temperatures are leading to an early planting season for farmers.

Bob Flider, acting director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, said drivers should be careful on the roads and alert for slow-moving farm vehicles.

Farm machinery can block visibility on roads or move more slowly than normal vehicle traffic. Studies show the most common types of accidents involving motorists and farm machinery are left-turn, rear-end and passing collisions.

Most farmers are waiting to plant because crop insurance policies start April 6. But five percent of the state corn crop is already in the ground.