Harvest Season Safe Driving Tips

Safe Driving

It is fall harvest season and drivers in rural areas should expect to encounter large farm implements traveling on the roads. Drivers should remain alert during harvest season, always be prepared to reduce speeds or stop immediately upon meeting slow-moving farm vehicles and farming areas. As farmers begin to move machinery from field to field, they may be traveling at speeds of 25 mph less and need additional roadway space.  It is crucial for everyone’s safety to have patience and share the road.

Harvest Time Traffic and Farm Safety Tips:

  • Be extra patient and always maintain a safe following distance  Farm equipment can unexpectedly turn onto a public road from a driveway or field.
  • Motorists should not attempt to pass farm machinery unless it is both safe and legal to do so; even if the farmer waves you around.
  • Avoid distractions while driving: texting, talking on a hand-held phone, etc.
  • Look for turn signals: Make sure you check for turn signal before attempting to pass.
  • Maintain a safe following distance from farm equipment and be patient.
  • Be prepared to meet an oncoming oversized agricultural vehicle. Eyes on the road!

Before Passing Farm Machinery:

  • Check to be sure that farmer is not turning right or left. Look for left-hand signal s or turn lights. If the farmer pulls toward the right side of the road and slows down, they are probably preparing to make a wide left turn.
  • Likewise, sometimes the farmer must move to the left to make a right turn with wide farm equipment.
  • Make sure the road is wide enough to pass the machinery safely.
  • Look for roadside obstacles such as bridges, road signs or mailboxes that may cause the machinery to move pass to the center of the road.
  • Be sure there is an adequate distance for you to pass safely.

Farmers Road Safety Tips:

  • Avoid movement of farm equipment at sunrise and sunset, when visibility is more limited.
  • Ensure slow-moving machinery emblems are mounted on the rear, to alert motorists.
  • Make sure all lighting is working correctly and be highly visible.
  • Use turn signals to alert traffic to sudden moves.
  • When three or more vehicles cannot pass on the left and are blocked, pull off the road to let the Vehicles safety pass.

Please be patient and courteous and have a safe harvest season!