KYTC: Be alert for farm equipment on roads

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is urging motorists to be alert for farm equipment on area roadways.

Officials say in 2017, there were 189 farm tractor-related crashes in Kentucky.  There were 40 injury crashes and 6 farm tractor-related fatal crashes on Kentucky highways last year.

After planting delays due to weather conditions and flooding, area farmers are working long hours in an effort to get their crops in the ground.  With the shortened planting season, farmers are on the move traveling from field to field with a heightened sense of urgency.

Many crashes involving farm equipment occur when motorists attempt to pass slow-moving equipment and misjudge the speed of oncoming traffic, or are unaware that farm equipment is preparing to make a turn into a field or side road.  Motorists are asked to practice patience whenever they encounter tractors and other farm equipment on the move along area highways.

Farmers are reminded to provide proper escort for large farm equipment, and to maintain flashing lights on all equipment that has to be moved along highways.  Farmers are also asked to pull over from time to time when the opportunity arises to allow backed up traffic to pass safely.  This reduces the likelihood that motorists will become impatient and try to pass farm equipment in no passing zones.