It says slow down, and share the road with farmers.
Baltimore, Md (KM. This is the time of year for all motorists to slow down, stay alert and share the roads with farmers. That advice comes from the Maryland State Highway Administration. Spokesman Danny Allman says it’s harvest season, and large pieces of farm equipment will be traveling many rural roads from September through November.
“We urge to all motorists to watch out for farm equipment. And if they come across any, we ask them that they pass with extreme caution and do not pass on navigating turns, on hills or where sight distance is limited,” he said.;
Allman also says do not assume that if a piece of farm equipment has pulled to the right side of the road that it’s safe to pass. “The farmer must execute wide left turns. So we always say if motorists are unsure, check the operator’s hand signals that they should be using, and check the left side of the road for gates, driveways or any place a farm vehicle may be turning into,” he says.
SHA also says when following farm equipment, looking for an opportunity to pass, be mindful of vehicles behind you. Also. do not pass in a designated “No Passing Zone,” or within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge elevation surface or tunnel.
During the September to November period, SHA says there is often an increase in accidents involving pieces of farm equipment and other vehicles. “Harvest season definitely is the biggest season of the year for farm vehicle crashes,” says Allman. “Since 2020, there have been 185 crashes which has included three fatalities.”
There are more than 12,500 working farms across Maryland, and farmers use slow-moving farm equipment, including combines, throughout the harvest season which sometimes end up the roads, according to an SHA news release.
By Kevin McManus