Drivers urged to stay alert around farm equipment during Georgia harvest season

Georgia officials say distracted driving causes many farm-related crashes and are reminding drivers to stay patient, alert and cautious during harvest season.

PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Harvest season is underway, bringing more farm vehicles to local roads and highways. As rural communities prepare for the busy season, officials are urging drivers to be alert and share the road.  

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, there have been more than 300 accidents involving farm vehicles in the past five years.  Last year, two people were killed and nearly a dozen were seriously injured in crashes.

On Tuesday, the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, in collaboration with the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Georgia Department of Public Safety, reminded all drivers to be patient, pass with caution and stay alert during the harvest months.

At the Georgia National Fair, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper spoke about the importance of safety for both farm families and the broader community.

“We’re in this together, and our success depends upon each other, and our safety depends upon each other as well,” he said. “We just want folks to be safe on the road and be mindful of the equipment that will be traveling the highways and byways of our state, especially as harvest season gets in full gear.”

More than 40 percent of crashes involving farm vehicles are caused by distracted driving.

Allen Poole, Director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, says drivers should remain alert on the road.

“Make sure that we’re providing enough distance between us, and if we want to pass, we have to make sure it’s a passing zone and we have enough visibility,” he said.

Officials are also reminding farmers to ensure their vehicles comply with state laws and display the correct signage to help keep everyone safe.