The cease in harvest provided the ideal opportunity for acting prime minister Michael McCormack to visit the property of the Yates family at “Windana”, Yerong Creek to announce a new road safety initiative. 

Peter Yates had stopped harvest at the property after 38mm of rain fell over night. He said they had received 78mm in 10 days. 

Mr Yates said road safety and sharing for heavy vehicles was essential. And despite the odd hitch he said most motorists were mindful of the size and scope of rural machinery. 

The National Farmers’ Federations’ (NFF) ‘Common Roads, Common Sense’ campaign is being funded by $250,000 from the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s (NHVR) Heavy Vehicle Safety Initiative (HVSI) program, with support from the Federal Liberal and Nationals’ Government.

Mr McCormack, who is minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development said educational messages would be delivered through a series of radio, online and video clips targeting regional road users. 

“The safe and efficient movement of large farm machinery on public roads provides multiple benefits; including helping to safeguard an essential operational component of Australia’s agricultural sector,” he said.

NFF board director Derek Schoen of Corowa also welcomed the move and said while most people did the right thing it was still important to get the message out there. Meanwhile, NFF chief executive officer Tony Maher said the campaign was symbolised by the iconic ‘fingers off the steering wheel country wave’ which is used by country drivers to positively acknowledge the presence of other road users.