(Radio Iowa) — Harvest season will kick into high gear once Iowa gets an extended period of dry weather and that means large farm machinery will be traveling the state’s roadways. Iowa State Patrol Trooper Vince Kurtz is calling on motorists to be patient and prepared. “Even though you may end up following a tractor for several miles at 35 miles an hour, in the grand scheme of things, it’s really only going to cost you a couple minutes of your time,” Kurtz says. “As opposed to the danger that you could be putting yourself and your family in by making a poor pass or by going too fast, not paying attention, and possibly rear-end that implement coming up over the top of a hill.”

Farmers can help reduce the chances of a crash by properly marking their machinery. “That all begins with a SMV (slow moving vehicle) triangle at the back of every vehicle you’re pulling,” Kurtz says. “So, if you’re pulling a wagon, you have to have that SMV triangle on the back of that wagon and visible. If you’re pulling another piece of equipment, make sure you have it at the back of that train.”

Farmers working after dark should also have a red light at the rear of the vehicle and flashing amber lights. Kurtz says he’s been called to three or four accidents involving farm equipment within the last month.