Missouri troopers urge drivers, farmers to share the road during harvest

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) — With the fall harvest underway, the Missouri State Highway Patrol is urging drivers and farmers to use caution and share the road.

In 2025, 163 crashes involving farm equipment resulted in one death and 37 injuries across Missouri, according to the patrol.

Troopers said collisions involving farm machinery can happen on any road and at any time, but many are preventable when drivers and equipment operators remain alert, obey traffic laws and use extra caution during low-visibility periods such as dawn and dusk.

Drivers should slow down when approaching farm machinery and wait until they have a clear view before attempting to pass. Motorists should not pass on bridges, hills or curves.

Drivers should also watch for wide-turning machinery. A tractor that moves toward the right shoulder may be preparing to make a wide left turn.

Farmers should ensure their machinery has working lights, reflective materials and a visible slow-moving vehicle emblem. Escort vehicles should be used when transporting equipment wider than one traffic lane.

Missouri law allows properly lighted farm equipment to travel on state highways after dark. Agricultural all-terrain vehicles may travel on highways only during daylight hours and must display the required flags and emblems.

Operators are also encouraged to wear seat belts in tractors equipped with rollover protection and helmets while riding ATVs.