Motorists and farm vehicles all play roles in safe harvest

Farmers across Wisconsin, are preparing to harvest the crops everyone depends on. Together with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) reminds drivers and farm vehicle operators, to be patient and alert on Wisconsin roadways this harvest season.

“It’s harvest time in Wisconsin fields and drivers will see more farm implements on our roadways,” said WisDOT secretary Craig Thompson. “There have been more than 2,000 crashes involving farm vehicles in Wisconsin, over the past five years, and these crashes are often preventable. Drivers and farmers must be aware of their surroundings and share the road, to ensure we have a safe harvest season.”

Agriculture supports more than 435,000 jobs and contributes more than $104.8 billion annually, as a cornerstone in Wisconsin’s economy. With 64,100 farms on 14.2 million acres, drivers and farm vehicle operators are likely to encounter each other on roadways, in all 72 counties. Each can do their part to make roads safer this harvest season.

“Farmers are working hard to get their crops from farm gate to dinner plate,” said DATCP secretary Randy Romanski. “Motorists should drive with caution and anticipate slow movement from farm implements. Ag vehicle operators should check their machinery, to ensure the appropriate lights, signage and signals are working.”

Driver responsibilities include the following:

• Scan the road ahead and be ready to slow down, when seeing slowmoving farm vehicles.

• Be patient and very cautious if deciding to pass. In Wisconsin, it is illegal to pass an ag vehicle or “implement of husbandry” in a no passing zone.

• When passing, consider the possibility of the farmer turning left onto a roadway, driveway or field entrance.

Ag vehicle operator responsibilities include the following:

• Know the lighting and marking requirements for ag vehicles. These requirements draw attention to the unique size, shape and speed of ag vehicles, and alert motorists that caution is required. When traveling on a roadway, stay as far to the right as safely possible.

• Be familiar with road weight restrictions. The DATCP provides a statewide map, with information about weight limits. More information about related permits, exemption and weight limits, can be found at wisconsindot.gov.

Last year, there were 136 reported crashes involving motorists and farm vehicles in Wisconsin, resulting in 50 injuries and two fatalities.