'Please be patient:' Leaders urge caution on roads as National Farm Safety and Health week gets underway

(CBS 58) – September 20 marked the beginning of National Farm Safety and Health week.

On Monday, September 21, state leaders held a virtual press conference on the importance of keeping roads safe for farmers and drivers.

In the past decade, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation says there have been more than 1,700 crashes involving farm equipment which led to 27 deaths.

With fall harvest season coming up, leaders from the Wisconsin Farm Bureau and the DOT know roads across the state will become busier and are urging both drivers of cars and farming equipment to be extra careful.

"Whether you’re driving a car or combine, please be patient," Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary-designee Randy Romanski said. "Allow room for farm vehicles and focus on the road. Take it slow. Let’s all share the road and stay safe this fall and throughout the year."

More information on National Farm Safety and Health week can be found here.