The Missouri State Highway Patrol is encouraging drivers to be aware of farm equipment on the roadways during harvest season.

There were 177 Missouri traffic crashes involving farm equipment/implements in 2022. In those crashes, seven people were killed and 63 were injured. Missouri has entered harvest season and it’s important that drivers and farmers pay attention and share the road. Farmers and motorists are encouraged be courteous drivers and to obey all traffic laws.

Whether you’re driving a vehicle or operating farm machinery, you must pay attention to the roadway, other drivers, and traffic signs. Distracted drivers are dangerous drivers.

Farmers should make sure your farm equipment is properly marked with lights and a “slow-moving vehicle” emblem when you travel on the roadway. If traffic accumulates behind farmers on the road where it is difficult to make a safe pass, they should pull off onto the side of the road in a level area, so vehicles can pass. They also should try to drive as far to the right as possible ad avoid driving at dusk and dawn.

Drivers should stay alert for slow-moving farm equipment and wait to pass until you have a clear view of the road ahead and there is no oncoming traffic. Never pass on a hill or curve.