By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
Harvest season will bring more farm equipment to the roads, traveling back and forth to the fields.
Missouri Highway Patrol Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H says drivers should be aware of farmers traveling to their fields anytime through the day
"They start early in the morning, and they may work all through the night, especially if there's a storm coming in, they're watching the forecast they're going to trying to get as much done as they can during the day," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "But peak hours during the day, I'd say from 8am to 8pm for sure, they're out there working."
Hux says drivers should keep their distance from farm equipment and be aware and watch for signals or hand signs before attempting to pass a tractor.
Hux says during harvest season there's not necessarily an increase in traffic crashes, but rather an increase in the type of crashes
"We are going to be investigating more crashes involving farm equipment, especially with the equipment being so much larger out on these two-lane highways, we are going to be working some traffic crashes involving farm implement, tractors, and machinery," Hux points out.
In 2022 there were 177 traffic crashes involving farm equipment with 63 injuries and seven fatalities across Missouri.
Hux says drivers should stay alert for slow moving farm vehicles and to pay attention while traveling behind them while on the road.
During harvest season slow moving farm vehicles on the road aren't the only dangers that drivers should be aware of.
Hux says drivers should also be cautious of deer crossing the road.
"Deer are going to be out in these fields and as the farmers are out there, they're going to be pushing the deer out of the field, and inevitably they're going to be crossing the roadway," Hux explains. "So always be on the lookout for them this time of year as well."
Hux says while traveling you should be aware of slow-moving farm vehicles, as well as ATV's farmers might be using to get to the fields.