ANNAPOLIS, Md.—The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (SHA), in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Farm Bureau, is strongly reminding motorists to share the road safely as the fall harvest season ramps up across the state. With more than 12,000 working farms in Maryland, drivers in rural areas should expect to encounter large, slow-moving farm equipment through November.
The call for caution comes with sobering statistics: from 2020 to 2024, there were more than 235 crashes involving farm equipment on Maryland roads.
Heightened Risk as Days Shorten
State Highway Administrator Will Pines emphasized the importance of driver awareness during this crucial agricultural period. “With days getting shorter and farmers harvesting their crops for the season, it is especially important for drivers to use extra caution for farm equipment,” said Pines. “We are serious about safety – for all highway users, including those operating farm equipment.”
The months of September through November are when heavy equipment, such as combines, is most frequently traveling on public roadways. Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin M. Atticks noted that October is the core of the harvest season. “Expect slow-moving farm equipment on roads,” Atticks stated. “Drive with caution, slow down, maintain safe distances, and only pass when safe. Your vigilance ensures safety for both farmers and drivers, supporting a successful harvest.”
Safety Tips for Encountering Farm Vehicles
Officials are asking drivers to recognize that while farm operators may pull over to allow traffic to pass, they cannot always do so immediately or on every shoulder. Maryland Farm Bureau President Jamie Raley stressed the need for motorist support. “Our farmers work hard in order to sustain our state, so let’s support them by keeping them safe while they do their job,” Raley said.
The SHA issued specific tips to help ensure safety for everyone:
- Exercise Extreme Caution When Passing: Do not pass farm equipment while navigating turns, on hills, or where sight distance is limited.
- Obey No Passing Zones: Never pass a farm vehicle if you are in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, or tunnel.
- Beware of Wide Left Turns: Do not assume a farm vehicle that pulls to the right is turning right or yielding to let you pass. Due to their size, farmers often must execute a wide swing to the right before making a wide left turn into a field or driveway. If unsure of their intent, check for the operator’s hand signals.
- Remain Aware of Other Drivers: Be mindful of other vehicles behind you that may also attempt to pass suddenly.
Drivers should ensure they leave additional travel time for trips on rural roads, understanding that these safety measures are vital to protecting the state’s agriculture industry and preventing serious accidents.
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