Georgia Aims to Curb Crashes Involving Farm Equipment

After a spike in crashes involving farm equipment last year, Georgia agriculture and highway safety officials are continuing an effort aimed at reducing such wrecks.

Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black and Governor’s Office of Highway Safety Director Harris Blackwood recently announced the launch of second-annual “Improving Georgia’s Yield Behind the Wheel” campaign.

The effort is intended to raise awareness of the dangers of crashes involving farm equipment as the harvest season approaches.

Authorities say crashes involving farm equipment on Georgia roads increased by 33 percent in 2011.

Five of the 401 reported accidents involving farm equipment last year resulted in deaths and several more involved serious injuries.