As farmers across Wisconsin return to the fields for harvest, more large equipment will be moving on roads. This creates unique challenges for both farmers and drivers. Lieutenant Bill Berger with the Wisconsin State Patrol Motor Carrier Investigative Unit is reminding farmers to check their equipment before hitting the road.
“Well, anytime we have equipment on the roadway, it’s important to make sure that things are in a safe operating condition,” Berger says. “We’d ask that the farmers take a look at their commercial motor vehicles before they’re needed. We want them to pay particular attention to the tires, brake components, steering components, and lights.”
Berger adds that farmers should also keep in mind weight limits and license requirements, especially when hauling heavier loads. “Farmers need to understand that when they’re operating commercial vehicles on a roadway, they might think of themselves as a farmer and not so much as a trucker, but realistically, that’s what they are at that moment,” he explains.
Drivers also play a role in harvest safety. With more slow-moving vehicles on rural highways, patience and awareness are key. Motorists are reminded not to pass farm equipment in no-passing zones and to watch for turns into fields or driveways.
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