RCMP encourages harvest season safety for Manitoba motorists, farmers

Harvest is underway and as agricultural producers work to carry hundreds of thousands of pounds of produce, seed and crops from the field to process, RCMP are advising both members of the public and industry members to take care on provincial highways.

In late July, a 61-year-old man was killed after a tractor towing a discbine — disc mower that attaches to a tracker — collided with his motorcycle on Highway 8 at Siglavik Road. The motorcyclist died on scene and the tractor driver, a 71-year-old man has been co-operative with the investigation, which RCMP say is ongoing.

Cpl. Julie Courchaine says everyone has a role to play in making sure Manitoba’s highways are safe during harvest.

“Any fatality on our road is a tragedy and we want to do anything we can to bring that number to zero,” explained Cpl. Courchaine. “It’s back to the basics. Be alert. Be aware of your surroundings and be patient.”

RCMP data indicates last year there were no serious or fatal collisions between farm equipment and drivers, but Colin Hornby with Keystone Agricultural Producers says collisions and close calls do happen.

“The number has increased in terms of collisions between agriculture equipment and vehicles. I think it’s — last I checked — it’s around 50 collisions on average per year,” said Hornby.

Hornby, who also administers the Farm Safe Manitoba program, says it’s critical for agriculture producers to be following the rules when operating giant pieces of equipment — some weighing tens of thousands of pounds — making sure they’re clearly marked with signage and lighting, but stressed motorists have to understand it’s not work done on a typical timeline.

“Farmers, they don’t really control necessarily when they can get stuff done so sometimes, they are doing it later, because that’s the only time the weather allows them to do it,” he explained.

Like RCMP, Hornby encouraged motorists to take care and their time while around the pieces of equipment, saying those behind the wheel of the massive machines can only do so much.

“Make sure you give them enough room. Look for signals, lane changes, things like that and just very careful and be patient, because people are in a rush all the time and farm vehicles can only go so quick and they’re following the rules they’ve got to follow,” advised Hornby.

RCMP say if people see motorists or producers behaving poorly, they should call it in so RCMP can use education or enforcement to address the issue.

“We just want people to be safe, and to get there, we don’t want anymore tragedy on our roads,” said Cpl. Courchaine.