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HARVEST SEASON ROAD SAFETY WEEK PASSES SECOND READING IN ONTARIO LEGISLATURE

Waterloo Region MPP Promotes Road Safety Awareness for Farmers and Motorists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                

December 06, 2023

QUEENS PARK – Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, Mike Harris, and colleagues from across all parties debated second reading of Bill 143. If passed, this private member’s bill would designate the week beginning with the third Monday of September each year as Harvest Season Road Safety Week. Bill 143 aims to increase road safety awareness across the province and actively contribute to reducing accidents. Additionally, it will underscore the significance of responsible road sharing for all users. The third week of September provides a timely opportunity to remind all road participants about the crucial practice of safely sharing the road with farm vehicles. The bill passed a second reading this afternoon with all-party support and was referred to the Standing Committee on the Interior.

“Members across party lines support our farmers for their hard work to ensure we can put good, safe food on our plates. In the Harris household, that’s seven plates, so we have quite a few farmers to thank every day,” said Mike Harris, Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga. “Our government has taken many steps to promote agriculture, including the recent Grow Ontario Strategy, designed to increase production of food grown and consumed in the province. Increasing our food production also means protecting those farmers we share our roads and communities with.”

As the fall season commences, rural Ontario experiences a surge in harvest activities, leading to elevated traffic and farm equipment on the roads. Traffic safety is paramount for pedestrians, drivers, and farmers alike. To prevent accidents and safeguard lives on our rural roads, promoting awareness of the fall harvest season among all users of Ontario’s rural roadways is essential. Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Robert Flack initially introduced the bill, but he could not see it through the legislative process due to an appointment to cabinet.

SUPPORTIVE QUOTES

“During Ontario’s harvest season, public roads are often shared with farmers moving large equipment,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. “I am pleased to see MPP Harris’ Bill 143 proceed to second reading, which, if passed, will designate the week in September following the third Monday as Harvest Season Road Safety Week. This will promote road safety for both farmers and the general public.”

“Each year, the Waterloo Regional Police Service undertakes a public information campaign to remind motorists in the Region to be aware of increased farm equipment, such as tractors and combines, travelling on our rural and township roads. However, during Harvest Season, we continue to see traffic safety incidents by motorists with farming machines,” said Scott Griffiths, Staff Sergeant Traffic Services Unit at the Waterloo Regional Police Service. “By designating the third Monday of September each year, the Harvest Season Road Safety Week Act will bring useful public attention to this matter and hopefully is coupled with improved safe driving behaviour. WRPS joins with others to ask that during Harvest Season that all motorists please slow down and be patient while waiting until there is enough room on the road to safely pass.”

 “The Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) stands firmly in support of Bill 143 – Harvest season Road Safety Week Act. Farmers and agricultural workers are the backbone of the fresh produce industry and their safety is paramount. While the harvest enriches our lands, it also presents increased activity on Ontario’s rural roads,” said OPMA Interim President, Michelle Broom. “Prioritizing awareness and safety measures during this crucial time demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding lives and ensuring secure passage for all travellers. Together, let’s cultivate a culture of road safety, fostering a shared responsibility for the well-being of our communities.”

“As chair of the board for Farm Fresh Ontario, I am pleased to support this bill and the establishment of Harvest Season Road Safety Week,” said Darlene Downey of Downey’s Farm and Board Chair, Farm Fresh Ontario. “Raising awareness of farm equipment on rural roads not only helps keep farm workers safe, it also reminds drivers to slow down, be patient and make sure we all get to our destination safely. On behalf of our members, we thank MPP Harris and Minister Flack for bringing attention to his important safety issue.”

“Police Association of Ontario members across the province work tirelessly to ensure our roads are safe. We welcome the designation of Harvest Season Road Safety Week and look forward to participating in the years to come to help ensure that farmers engaged in vital work are able to move safely on our roads and highways as they feed Ontario’s communities,” said Mark Baxter,  President  of the Police Association of Ontario

“As a key partner in the Agrifood sector, the Ontario Beekeepers’ Association is fully supportive of all initiatives and opportunities to keep our roads safe for all our agriculture colleagues,” said Ian Grant, president of the Ontario Beekeepers Association. “Food security for all Ontarians not only means providing the best locally produced agricultural products, but ensuring that they get to markets and stores safely and efficiently. We encourage all users to share our roads responsibly and safely.”

“The National Farmers Union – Ontario is pleased to support Bill 143, the Harvest Season Road Safety Week Act,” said Max Hansgen, NFU-O President. “We believe road safety awareness is critical for all motorists in Ontario, especially during harvest season when roads are busier and need to be shared safely with farmers and farm equipment. This legislation will help to keep our rural communities safer and encourage motorists to share our roadways.” 

“OFVGA appreciates the attention this bill draws to road safety,” said Shawn Brenn, Chair of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (OFVGA).  “Annual reminders to raise awareness about farm vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians sharing our rural roads will help keep farmers, farm workers and all Ontarians traveling on our concession roads safe.”

 “Safety on the road is a responsibility we all share, and we are so pleased to support and endorse this Private Members Bill, championed by MPP Harris,” said Cathy Lennon, General Manager Ontario Federation of Agriculture.  “Harvest Season – Road Safety Week will enable us to build and amplify important messages and resources together with the government to raise further awareness about sharing roadways with farm equipment and the responsibilities of both equipment operators and motorists to do so safely.”

“Throughout my career in agribusiness, as a farmer, and now as a Member of Provincial Parliament, I have seen first-hand the need to raise more awareness for rural road safety,” said Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. “To help prevent accidents and save lives, it is imperative to raise awareness of the fall harvest season for those travelling on Ontario’s rural roads.”

“The Ontario Federation of Agriculture proudly supports and welcomes the Bill ~ Harvest Season Road Safety Week Act. We are committed to increasing road safety awareness and fostering a safe environment for farm equipment and motorists to coexist on our roadways. We believe this legislation will enhance road safety awareness and reduce accidents while ensuring all users share the road responsibly,” said Peggy Brekveld, OFA President. “Together, we can make our roads safer, our communities stronger and enable our farmers to continue providing the food we all depend on.”

QUICK FACTS

  • According to federal government data, slow-moving vehicles are 3.8 to 4.8 times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision per kilometre on the road than other motor vehicles.
  • OPP statistics show that farm slow-moving vehicle injuries and fatalities are mostly related to rollovers, and these generally occur while entering, exiting, or crossing roadways, veering off the shoulder and accidents involving a motor.
  • Passenger vehicles incorrectly passing farm equipment result in serious accidents or death.
  • 8 out of 10 accidents occur during the day, and seven out of 10 occur on dry road conditions.

Source: https://ofa.on.ca/newsroom/farmers-support-harvest-season-road-safety/