SGI urges caution from drivers during harvest

By Rob Mahon

As drivers head to the lake or travel to see family members in the last few weeks of summer, SGI is asking them to keep a special lookout for one particular kind of road hazard: Farm machinery.

“We know that farmers are busy,” said SGI’s Heather Hubic. “It’s harvest time, they’re out in their fields and working really hard, and we want to make sure drivers are helping them get the job done.

“We’re just asking (drivers) to be considerate and patient and watch out for farmers and machinery.”

This time of year creates something of a perfect storm of conditions for possible crashes involving farm equipment. Not only are farmers more likely to be on the road this time of year, but so are most drivers as they use up vacation time, whether they’re going to the lake or just sightseeing.

“There are more people on the roadway this time of year,” Hubic said. “But the good news is if maybe you’re taking a leisurely vacation, you have that time to spare.

“The biggest thing we can encourage drivers to do is just be really patient. The person who’s driving or towing farm equipment is likely just moving a short distance from one field to another.”

One of the biggest areas Hubic said SGI wants to see patience from drivers is in the moment when they have the chance to actually pass the farm equipment. They want drivers to wait until they’re absolutely sure it’s safe to pass before doing so, especially on smaller highways.

“Don’t follow too closely because if you do, you may be in the farmer’s blind spot,” said Hubic. “Just hang back a bit, and when you do pass, make sure to give yourself plenty of space. Farm equipment can be deceptively long and wide.”

According to SGI’s release, there is a high likelihood of injury or even death when a car collides with farm equipment. From 2017 to 2021, SGI recorded 86 collisions with farm equipment, which resulted in 41 injuries and seven deaths.

“Even one death on our roadway is far too many,” Hubic said. “So we really want to encourage people to take it slowly, take it easy, and make sure everyone gets home safely.”

Hubic added despite the high rate of serious outcomes from collisions with farm machinery, overall deaths on Saskatchewan highways have been trending steadily downward in recent years.