By Shelby Wentz, 2024 Sunbelt Ag Expo Intern
This morning, Tyler Harper, Georiga’s Agriculture Commissioner, spoke at the Georiga Agriculture Building about safety behind the wheel during harvesting season. During harvest season, it was mentioned that paying attention to the road is essential as there is more traffic and more oversized vehicles on the road.
The Govenor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) works daily to reduce traffic deaths on rural roads in Georgia. “Everyone wearing a seatbelt will reduce the number of individuals dying in crashes daily,” said Allen Poole, Govenor’s Office of Highway Safety Director. Georgia Department of Agriculture and GOHS are partnering together to remind drivers to be aware of farm vehicles while traveling through rural areas.
It was stated that “farmers have the legal right to operate their equipment on the road and will move over when possible to let vehicles following pass. During harvest season, farm equipment is more often found operating on roadways.
Wesley Webb, representing Georgia’s peanut industry, and Allen Poole spoke on the importance of road safety in rural areas.
All motorists need to be aware, wear a seatbelt, and put their phones down while traveling. Harvest season is crucial to our areas, and more farm equipment traffic is often found.
