Be Patient & Share the Roads as Beet Harvest Gets Underway

Ada, MN — While the opening date for the sugar beet harvest has been delayed, when it does get rolling motorists can expect busy roadways with increased truck traffic. All the increased activity will mean more calls into the Norman County Sheriff’s Office. Norman County Sheriff Jeremy Thornton says generally during the sugarbeet season they are taking calls about road hazards, driving complaints, and the occasional accident, but thankfully they haven’t had any serious incidents in a few years.

Sheriff Thornton notes that truck tip overs can be easily avoided by taking wider turns and paying attention to where your trailer is located.

Many of the truck drivers on the road only drive a truck during the harvest and there are several with little experience. Because of that, Thornton encourages everyone to follow the rules of the roads and asks those sharing the road with those trucks to drive defensively and be patient.

Harrison Weber, Executive Director of the Red River Valley Sugar Beet Growers Association adds that a safe harvest is a successful harvest.