MOULTIRE, Ga. (WALB) - The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), and NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain came together on Wednesday, Oct. 15, for a press conference emphasizing rural road safety during harvest season.

The event, held in Moultrie, highlighted the annual “Yield Behind the Wheel” campaign, a statewide initiative that encourages drivers to slow down, stay alert, and safely share the road with farm vehicles.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J. Harper and GOHS Director Allen Poole urged motorists to be mindful of large agricultural equipment on rural roads and to always buckle up and obey speed limits. Both leaders stressed that increased awareness during the busy harvest months can prevent serious accidents and save lives.

They were joined by Ross Chastain, an eighth-generation watermelon farmer and NASCAR driver, who used his platform to promote safer driving habits. Chastain shared how his background in both farming and racing gives him a unique perspective on the importance of safety and patience on the road.

“This time of year, our farmers are working hard to feed and fuel Georgia,” Harper said. “We want everyone, drivers and producers alike to make it home safely.”

The press conference served as a reminder that a little extra caution behind the wheel can go a long way toward protecting Georgia’s farm families and rural communities.

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