Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson is asking motorists across the state to be especially careful in the weeks ahead as the state’s farmers harvest their crops.

During harvest, farmers become more visible as they move combines, grain wagons, tractors, and other farm implements down Minnesota’s roads more frequently. Commissioner Hugoson reminds drivers that safety is everyone’s responsibility during this busy time of year. Highway safety during the harvest in Minnesota is a concern all over Minnesota,” Commissioner Hugoson said. “The southeastern part of the state in particular has more wooded areas and rolling hills that can obscure a driver’s view. But no matter where they are in the state, I ask drivers to be patient with farmers moving equipment on the road. These men and women are working hard to produce the food and fiber all depend on, so please be careful.”

Farmer can help themselves to stay save on the road by marking their vehicles with a reflective slow-moving vehicle emblem and making sure all warning lights are operational.

Commissioner Hugoson advised farmers moving large equipment on the road to have an escort, both in front and back, whenever possible.

This year, the National Safety Council is emphasizing that sharing the road is everyone’s responsibility. For example, NSC warns that tractors and other agricultural machinery often cannot travel fast and have limited maneuverability. Farmers need to remember this is not necessarily common knowledge; motorists need to remember this, especially when using rural roads.