How big is too big is the comment that my wife made to me last week as we hugged the fog line on our way into Clinton a few days ago.

We had met a pickup truck that was pulling a rather large cultivating farm implement. The truck took up its entire lane and then some.  Let me stress that I am not accusing the farmer or implement dealer of any erratic or inappropriate driving. We both slowed down and safely passed each other, and I emphasize slowed down. At that point my wife said to me that I was going to write an article on large vehicles on the highway.  After 50-plus years of marriage I know when to say, “Yes dear.” So here goes.

I grew up on a farm. Tractors in the sixties were mostly three wheeled and could easily fit on a country road or highway. Today’s tractors are 4-wheeled behemoths  that easily encroach beyond the standard driving lanes. Combines are so large that their harvesting heads are transported on a special trailer because if left on the combine they would easily take up both lanes and then some. Now is the time to talk about this issue.

The weather is warming and those tractors and implements will soon be on the road. Safety concerns are the issue of importance. Both the cars and the tractors have a legal right to use the roads in DeWitt County. The key is getting both groups involved in safe operation of vehicles.

Economy of scale has changed the size of that farm tractor. Farms have grown much  larger and the equipment has sized up to meet the demand. Those farmers fields can be miles apart and they have to move their machinery from farm to farm. That simply means that machinery will be on the roads. That is simply reality. Farm machinery is slow and large.

Cars and trucks are fast and do not like delays. There is conflict between the farmer and the public and will always be. I simply don’t anticipate roads being widened to accommodate the machinery as that is cost prohibitive.  That leaves us with two alternatives. One side gives up the use of the public roads or the two entities learn to live together. Pragmatically, both sides need to learn to live together.

Farm machinery needs to have their flashers and the slow moving vehicle signs on the equipment.  The operator also needs to be aware of his width and try not to encroach in the other lane if possible. Quite often that is not possible. That operator needs to be aware of when his is causing traffic to back up and pull over if possible to allow it to pass. Regular vehicles simply need to slow down and only pass when safe to do so.

Impatience causes accidents and injuries which is the last thing we need.  The farmer is doing a job, but so are many of those cars and trucks being slowed down by farm machinery.  It’s difficult to have a winner in these situations. However it is very easy to have losers. Anger and impatience quickly provide losers, with damaged equipment and bodies maimed. Please respect the rights of all who use our roads. Slow down and keep your spacing.

LOCAL ENERGY—Coal used to be everywhere as the energy producer. That changed with nuclear power. Today in DeWitt County there is talk of small nuclear power plants, wind and solar. Drive to Lincoln and you will see a solar farm at Route 10 ands Route 121.  Wind turbines are popping up everywhere. 

The landscape is changing literally  on a daily basis. I personally see a great value in diversification of energy sources. That value has a downside of environmental issues that need to be addressed. There are no easy answers.

It appears to me that producers are in the power seat and local governments are playing catch up.  We need energy for commerce. We also need responsible planning on how and where to place this energy infrastructure. We need to get a plan in place for development or we will soon see a hodge podge of energy concerns developing in every nook and cranny of this state.