5 Road Safety Tips During MD Harvest Season

MARYLAND — Drivers across the state are reminded to watch for large farm equipment on the road since the fall harvest is underway.

“During harvest season, as daylight hours get shorter, we all need to be especially attentive and patient in our farm communities,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “Our farmers work hard and play a vital role in Maryland’s economy. Let’s all share the road and do our part to keep them, and ourselves, safe on our roadways.”

With more than 12,000 working farms in Maryland, farmers use combines and other large, slow-moving equipment from September through November. Since 2020, there have been more than 160 crashes involving farm equipment on the state's roads.

“Fall harvest is a busy time for Maryland farmers, which often includes moving farm equipment from one location to another,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks. “Please be mindful of this as you travel Maryland roads, especially those in rural areas.”

These tips will help keep everyone safe:

• Slow down and leave extra time to reach your destination.
• Pass farm equipment with extreme caution and do not pass while navigating turns, on hills or where sight distance is limited.
• Be mindful of vehicles behind you that may also try to pass.
• Do not pass if you are in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevation structure or tunnel.
• Do not assume a farm vehicle that pulls to the right side of the road is going to turn right or is letting you pass. Due to the size of some farm implements, the farmer must execute wide left-turns. If you are unsure, check the operator’s hand signals and check the left side of the road for gates, driveways, or any place a farm vehicle may be turning.

Drivers should be patient and pass farm equipment only when safe to do so, said the State Highway Administration. Large farm equipment can take up both lanes, in some cases, on two-lane roads and is often slow moving and limits sight distance for highway users.

“Maryland farmers take the necessary safety precautions to safeguard both themselves and fellow Maryland drivers while navigating our roads,” said Maryland Farm Bureau President Wayne Stafford. “But we need your help, too. Please stand with our hardworking farmers during harvest season by remaining vigilant and paying attention to the slow-moving vehicles and farm equipment that share our roadways.”