With harvest season in full swing, law enforcement is reminding motorists to be more aware of possible crowded roadways.

According to Dallas County Chief Deputy Bret Maxwell, the main hazard associated with harvest operations is the slow-moving traffic of farm machinery. He emphasizes that drivers need to be cautious of tractors, combines, or semi-trucks that are carrying grain, as they will switch from the fields onto county roads. Maxwell explains that it’s important to give farm machinery as much space as possible by traveling from the rear.

“A lot of times people get right up behind them, and then weave back and forth. And that presents its own dangers to oncoming traffic (because) you don’t see them until the last minute. So if you stay back and give yourself some distance, then you can see a farther distance ahead for oncoming traffic, and make a safer pass.”

Maxwell stresses that people should watch their speed when either approaching farm machinery, especially at night when it’s harder to see.