Troopers warn motorists of more slow-moving farm vehicles on roads during harvest season

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reminded drivers that as the harvesting season starts, more slow-moving farm vehicles will be on the roads causing traffic to slow down.

Troopers said that in 2017, there were 174 crashes statewide that involved farm equipment. Of those, five people died and 50 were injured.

Online crash reports showed that so far in 2018, there have been at least 100 crashes involving farm vehicles, resulting in three fatalities.

Reports also showed that since 2015, there were at least 100 crashes a year that involved farm equipment.

Troopers said drivers should stay alert for slow-moving farm equipment, especially in rural areas.

Drivers should wait to pass a slow-moving farm vehicle until their view is completely clear, there’s no oncoming traffic and it’s not on a hill or curve.

Troopers said crashes involving farm equipment most commonly occurred when a driver tried to pass a left-turning farm vehicle. In that case, it looks like the farmer is pulling over to let the driver pass, but instead the farmer is making a wide left turn.

Troopers said farmers should make sure their equipment is labeled with slow-moving vehicle signs and has flashing lights.

Farmers should also try to pull over to a safe location if they notice if traffic starts to back up on a road that isn’t safe for them to pass.