Chapter 4 — Your Driving 49 The Law Enforcement Officer  Safe Driving Around Farm Equipment During the harvesting and planting seasons, farmers work longer hours and are  often on the road in the early morning and evening hours. Farm equipment is  required to have one front white light as well as a rear red light that is visible for  up to 500 feet. Two red reflectors that are at least four inches in diameter can  replace the rear red light. The key to safety when sharing the road with farm equipment is to be patient.  If farm equipment is causing a delay in traffic, the operator should move off the  road at the nearest practical location and allow the traffic to pass. This is the  only advisable time to pass farm equipment on public roads. When sharing the road with farm equipment, you must obey the rules of the  road. It is illegal and very dangerous to pass farm equipment in a no passing  zone. Farm equipment may be wider than what is visible from behind and may  require ample space in both lanes. Furthermore, it may also be difficult to see  traffic approaching in the opposite direction. These types of crashes typically occur while farm equipment is turning left and  another vehicle attempts to pass. In some cases, a machinery operator uses a  left-hand signal, and drivers may mistake this as a sign for them to pass. When  the farm machinery slows to make the turn, the vehicle following attempts to  pass and crashes with the equipment.  Most of the crashes that involve farm equipment occur on a clear day, during  daylight hours, and/or on a dry surface that is paved. Typical crashes with farm  equipment include sideswipes and angle crashes. The agricultural industry is one of the largest employers in North Carolina.  Slow-moving agricultural equipment can be found in all parts of the state,  including suburban areas. Caution should be taken when sharing the road with  farm equipment. • It is the goal of law enforcement to protect the public and conduct traffic  stops in a manner that protects the safety of everyone involved. Your  cooperation with law enforcement is the best way to ensure that your safety,  and that of others, is not compromised during the stop.  •The officer will ask for your drivers license and the vehicle registration. If the  information from your drivers license and the vehicle information does not  match, you may be asked a series of questions.  • The officer will approach your vehicle and will identify himself or herself, his  or her agency and the reason for the traffic stop. Many times the officer will  ask if you have any reason for committing the traffic violation.  • The officer will initiate a traffic stop by turning on the blue lights and/or  siren. The officer is also gathering information from your vehicle’s license tag  and checking the area for a safe place to conduct the traffic stop.  • If you believe the officer acted inappropriately, document the officer’s  behavior and report it to the officer’s agency in a timely manner. The name of  the officer and law enforcement agency will be on the ticket and you may ask  the officer to provide this information. 