Bill Looks To Help Idaho Ag Equipment Pull Over Safely

Last week, the Idaho Senate Transportation Committee introduced legislation aimed at addressing safety concerns involving farm and construction equipment on state roadways.

Currently, state law requires slow-moving equipment to pull over when three or more vehicles are impacted.  But sponsor of Senate Bill 1224, Jefferson County Republican Van Burtenshaw, said in many areas across the state, there are no safe places to pull over a vehicle.

“Recently, they put a road up through Kilgore, and it's a nice road, but it has no sloped bank off the side," Burtenshaw said.  "It's just almost straight drop off.  You couldn't even pull off there to change a tire on a horse trailer.  You have to find a pullout to get that outfit off the road.  So, I think this is timely, it's worded right, and it's good judgment to make that happen.”

Ag Equipment Have Every Right To Be On State Roadways

So, what does Senate Bill 1224 do?  Burtenshaw said the legislation clarifies that Ag and construction equipment have the right of way until a safe and appropriate pull out can be found.

Supporters of the bill say as Idaho becomes more urban, fewer drivers understand rural traffic realities, making this a “commonsense” update focused on safety for both motorists and equipment operators.

Click Here to learn more about SB 1224.

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