MnDOT encourages safety on roads during busy planting season

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Motorists traveling on Minnesota highways this spring need to be aware of large farm equipment moving from farm to farm, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. 

“Planting season is in full swing and farmers in every corner of the state are out on the highways,” said Ray Starr, acting state traffic engineer. “Motorists need to be prepared to encounter slow-moving farm vehicles, especially on rural, two-lane roads.”

Farm equipment is large and heavy, making it hard for operators to accelerate, slow down and stop. The equipment also makes wide turns and sometimes cross over the center line. In addition, farm vehicles can create large blind spots, making it difficult for operators to see approaching vehicles. All of these factors can cause serious crashes. 

Over the past five years, there were 688 crashes involving farm vehicles that resulted in 23 fatalities and 348 injuries.  Nearly half of the fatalities were an occupant of the farm vehicle.

Twenty-two percent of all farm equipment crashes and 29 percent of the fatalities were distraction-related. Other factors were speed-related and alcohol-related.

Motorists should:

·        When approaching farm equipment, slow down and use caution.

·        Watch for debris dropped by trucks. It is safer to brake or drive through debris than to veer into oncoming cars or off the road.

·        Wait for a safe place to pass.

·        Wear seatbelts.

·        Drive with headlights on at all times.

Farm equipment operators should:

·        Use lights and flashers to make equipment more visible.

·        Use slow-moving vehicle emblems on equipment traveling less than 30 mph.

·        Consider using a follow vehicle when moving equipment, especially at night.

MnDOT invites public comments on Freight Investment Plan

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation is taking public comments on the Freight Investment Plan. The plan will help the agency and its stakeholders make freight capital improvements that improve freight mobility, safety and first- and last-mile connections over the next 10 years.

“The Freight Investment Plan addresses some of the freight transportation needs that exist across Minnesota,” said William Gardner, director of the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations. “These investments will help the state’s businesses shop and receive their goods more efficiently, reliably and safely.”

The public can comment on the plan until Dec. 18. The plan is online athttp://www.mndot.gov/planning/freightplan/index.html.The plan is also available at MnDOT’s Central Office library, 395 John Ireland Blvd, St. Paul, and at the agency’s district offices around the state.

Comments also may be submitted via email to FreightPlans.DOT@state.mn.us or mailed to Nicole George, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations, MS 470, 395 John Ireland Blvd. St. Paul, MN, 55155.

The investment plan identifies $99 million in freight capital improvement projects, including interchange and intersection reconstructions, highway improvements and port terminal expansions. They were selected through a statewide grant application process.

The project list is online at www.mndot.gov/ofrw/mhfp.

After the Freight Investment Plan is finalized, it will be amended into MnDOT’s Statewide Freight System Plan, which was revised to address requirements of the federal Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act legislation passed in 2015.