ROAD users have been urged to give agricultural vehicles extra space on the road ahead of this year's planting and harvest season.
The call comes during National Farm Safety Week (July 18-24), which is dedicated to raising awareness of farm safety issues in rural communities across Australia.
NHVR chief executive officer Sal Petroccitto said with more Australians moving to regional communities in the past year, there was more traffic for agricultural vehicle drivers to safely navigate during the up-coming harvest.
"We know up to four out of five crashes involving a heavy vehicle are caused by light vehicle drivers, so it's important motorists understand how to safely share the road with heavy vehicles," Mr Petroccitto said.
"Tractors, grain harvesters and air seeders all have limited turning ability, visibility of other vehicles, speed range and space on our roads.
"If you're travelling near an agricultural vehicle, please be patient, reduce your speed, maintain a safe following distance of two seconds or more, and only overtake if it is safe to do so."
Mr Petroccitto said if an oversized ag vehicle was approaching from the opposite direction, drivers may need to pull over safely to let them pass.
"It's these simple tips that will help reduce risk for all road users and ensure everyone arrives safely at their destination - whether it's to the silo, stockyard or home," he said.
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