Durham Region Advises Caution Around Farm Vehicles During Harvest Season

The Regional Municipality of Durham has issued a reminder for drivers to be cautious and patient when encountering farm vehicles on rural roads. The harvest season, which starts in early fall and continues into late fall, will see an increase in slow-moving farm machinery on the roads. This may cause temporary delays for motorists.

Farmers use public roads to transport food from field to field, both day and night. The Regional Municipality of Durham emphasizes the importance of safety for all road users during this period.

Key safety tips for motorists include:

• Recognize slow-moving vehicles by looking for an orange triangle emblem on the back of the vehicle.
• Slow down when approaching farm equipment, which typically travels under 40 kilometres per hour.
• Be aware that farm vehicles may not have brake lights or turn signals, and operators may not always be visible to demonstrate hand signals.
• Pass farm vehicles with caution, as they may need to swing wide to make turns or may be unable to pull off the road due to equipment weight or road shoulder conditions.
• Do not pass farm machinery at intersections, as they may turn without the ability to signal or see traffic behind them.

For more information on road safety during the harvest season, visit durham.ca/VisionZero.