ODOT Reminding Motorists To Share The Road

Harvest is underway across Oregon, and for the next couple of months the state Department of Transportation is reminding all motorists.

“The [rural] roads they're filled with tractors, combines and other slow moving farm equipment, which is essential to state agricultural economy," said ODOT's Mindy McCartt.  "This is essential work that we need to happen.  The Department of Transportation, the Oregon Department of Agriculture and our Oregon Farm Bureau, we're teaming up this year to remind the drivers: Stay alert, Slow down, Share the road with these farmers.”

Drivers Are Asked To Give Space, Remain Calm

McCartt said in the last five years, Oregon has averaged 32 crashes involving farm equipment annually, resulting in about four serious injuries a year.  Fatal crashes occurred both in 2020 and 2022.  And while these numbers may seem small, McCartt noted each one represents a person, a family and a community impacted.

She added other things drivers can do to keep Oregon roadways safe during harvest include yield to large vehicles, drive defensively and stay back.

“At least 50 feet behind those large pieces equipment," McCatt added.  "And then pass only when it's safe. We want them to wait for clear sight lines and legal zones and always avoid passing near curves and bridges or field entrances.  These pieces of farm equipment have wide sweeping turns to get all of their equipment into those farm lanes, so give them that extra space.”

Above all else, McCartt reminded motorists to keep calm and remember that farmers are out doing their job.

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