How to stay safe on our highways during harvest

Harvest is behind in our province with only two per cent of the crop combined, compared to the five year average of nine per cent for this time of year.

We also saw some frost in a few areas, and although it was light, it can still cause some damage.

Although it’s behind, farmers are still out in full force this harvest season, pushing to get their crops in the bin as quickly as they can.

With harvest time, comes many more agricultural vehicles on our highways.

While this can be frustrating for some drivers, Tyler McMurchy with SGI, says for everyone’s safety it’s important to show patience.

“Slow down, give them room, and be patient,” said McMurchy.

McMurchy says there were 12 agriculture vehicle related collisions on Saskatchewan roads last year that resulted in 10 injuries and two fatalities.

He adds, farm equipment is very slow moving, and if you plan to pass, do so only when it is safe because that equipment is often much wider and much longer than expected.

He also says most collisions involving farm equipment are because of attempts to pass, and hit from behind crashes.

“Farmers are usually only transporting their machinery from one field to another, so you aren’t going to be behind them for too long, so again, be patient,” said McMurchy.