Moore-Miller Administration Urges Drivers to Pay Close Attention While Driving Near Farm Equipment
(October 22, 2026) – The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Maryland Farm Bureau, is reminding motorists to share the road safely with large farm equipment during the fall harvest season.
With more than 12,000 working farms in Maryland, combines and other large, slow-moving equipment are more prevalent on roads during the harvest period, which continues through November. From 2020 to 2025, there were more than 280 crashes involving farm equipment on Maryland roads.
“The leaves are changing and days are getting shorter which tells us that Maryland’s harvest season is underway,” said State Highway Administrator Will Pines. “We want everyone to be safe during this busy time of the year and be Serious About Safety by using patience, paying close attention and giving harvest equipment the space they need to get to the fields.”
Motorists should follow these tips when sharing the road with operators of slow-moving farm equipment:
- Pass farm equipment with extreme caution and do not pass while navigating turns, on hills or where sight distance is limited.
- Do not pass if you are in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevation structure or tunnel.
- Do not assume a farm vehicle that pulls to the right side of the road is going to turn right or is letting you pass. Due to the size of some farm implements, the farmer must execute wide left- turns. If you are unsure, look for the operator’s hand signals and check the left side of the road for gates, driveways or any place a farm vehicle may be turning.
Earlier this month, Governor Wes Moore issued an
Executive Order declaring a state of emergency to provide temporary relief to Maryland's agricultural and forestry industries as record-high diesel fuel prices threaten the 2026 harvest season. The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to keeping Maryland farmers safe and providing relief to producers as they transport critical agricultural products throughout the state and to regional markets.
“Harvest season is one of the busiest and most important times of the year for Maryland farmers,” said Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. “We encourage all motorists to slow down, stay alert and give farm equipment plenty of room. A little patience on the road goes a long way toward keeping everyone safe, especially the farmers who work hard to feed our families and communities.”
Drivers should slow down, stay alert, and be patient when approaching agricultural equipment on the roads. When encountering farm vehicles, anticipate your trip may be delayed and plan for additional travel time.
“Our state’s farmers may need to share the road with you as they work to produce the food, fuel, and fiber that we rely on,” said Maryland Farm Bureau President Jamie Raley. “During this harvest season, help them get home safely by slowing down, remaining vigilant, and paying attention to the farm equipment that share our roadways.”
The above safety testimonial from a farmer on Maryland’s Eastern Shore is courtesy of the Maryland Farm Bureau.
For more information about agriculture in Maryland, visit mda.maryland.gov, roads.maryland.gov, or
marylandfb.org.