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In today's issue of The Independent & Free Press, there's a story I wrote about road rage. This road rage is directed at a specific sector of our population-- farmers. As the story tells, many Halton Hills farmers are on the receiving end of a lot of abuse-- from horns blowing, obscene hand gestures, as well as some downright dangerous driving practices-- all because they are driving on the road with slow moving farm machinery. I interviewed several farmers who told some wild stories about some of the fools on the road. And I believe them; I've seen 'em firsthand. Running a small farming operation, there are times I must be on the road, to deliver hay to my clients. Some of those customers are situated close to town. One day in July, while delivering to a client situated south of Georgetown, I had to make numerous trips with a bale wagon, designed to carry 12 big round bales. The wagon is specifically designed to safely carry this load. It's equipped with MOT-approved flashing amber lights and red signal lights. My tractor also has appropriate lights, mounted high on the cab, where anyone, either following or approaching, can see where I'm going. During those trips, I received gestures from drivers, similar to what my farming colleagues have received. One encounter stands out above the rest. I was eastbound on 10 Sideroad, stopped at the traffic lights at Trafalgar Road, waiting to proceed straight through the intersection. A woman in a high-end black SUV pulled up beside me in the left turn lane. I'd seen her in my rear view mirrors while driving towards Trafalgar. She pulled onto 10 Sideroad from the Sixth Line, and followed me for one concession-- 1.4 km. As she pulled alongside me in the left turn lane, she slid open the dark tinted window on the passenger side of the SUV and leaned over to look up at me. With her bleached blonde, Barbie doll look, she looked me in the eye, held up her right hand and gave me the finger. Seems I had delayed her during that arduous 1.4 km drive from the Sixth Line to Trafalgar. Store Hours Mon - Wed 10-6 Thurs - Fri 10 -8 Sat 10 - 5 If you ate today... Ted Brown Not only that, but when the light changed to green, she hit the gas, and, instead of turning left, (remember, she WAS in the left turn lane,) she blasted straight through the middle of the intersection, cutting me off, just to get ahead of me. I continued with the tractor and wagon to the Eighth Line. She was stopped at the traffic lights there-- two cars ahead of me. I wondered to myself, was it worth pulling in front of a farm wagon loaded with six tons of hay and a tractor also weighing about six tons to gain two car lengths? In this particular scenario, she wasn't in grave danger pulling in front of me. I'd hardly got rolling before she cut me off. But still, she was she taking a chance, and she also committed a major traffic violation. Just to gain two car lengths? To those drivers who feel compelled to blow horns, flash lights and extend fingers to farmers out on the roads, let me suggest something. First, ask yourself if getting bent outta shape over a farm vehicle on the road ahead is really that big a deal. How much is it really going to delay you? The operator could easily be turning off at the next road. Farmers don't drive on busy roads unless there's no other route available. So relax, slow down and take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the world around you. Cuz believe me, that farmer up ahead of you truly wants to get out of your way more than you'll ever know. Another thing you may want to consider. If you ate today, you just might wanna wave to that farmer on the road up ahead, not give him the finger. Could be he played a major role in putting food on your dinner table at home. 7 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, August 18, 2011 The word is out! It's our GRAND OPENING! on August 18th, 19th or 20th! NO TAX LEARN TO RUN & 10 KM CLINICS 2011 2 Levels > Beginner and 10KM Clinics run for 10 weeks on Tuesday evenings beginning at 6:30 pm and include: Guest Speakers > Detailed Schedule > Technical Running Shirt > Store Discount Dates > Fall Clinic: September 6th Stop in or call to register today! 5 Wesleyan Street, Downtown Georgetown 905.873.1333 www.meshoeboutique.ca