Share the road this harvest
Published
10/14/2024
In 2021, 181 accidents between farm equipment and road vehicles were reported in Iowa. To reduce the number of collisions this harvest, the Allamakee County Farm Bureau is encouraging all Iowans to “share the road.”
According to Iowa State University (ISU), getting stuck behind a tractor for two miles is the same amount of time a driver will spend at two stoplights. Farmers hope drivers will prioritize safety over inconvenience.
“We do our best to stay on our side of the road and let others pass when possible, but we have blind spots,” says Melissa Wedo, Allamakee County Farm Bureau board member. “Other vehicles have the advantage of seeing us, so we really do rely on others to help keep us all safe.”
The most common types of accidents involving ag equipment are rear-end and left-hand turn collisions. When approaching slow-moving agricultural equipment, often marked with an orange triangle, ISU suggests drivers immediately slow down. A car driving 60 mph on a highway can quickly close the gap when approaching a tractor going 25 mph.
ISU also suggests looking for farm vehicles exiting highways using a left-hand turn. Although it may appear a tractor is pulling over to allow others to pass, they may be preparing to enter a field across the road.
“We also realize, as farmers, we need to do our part, too,” says Wedo. The Allamakee County Farm Bureau encourages farmers to make sure their slow-moving vehicle signs are in good condition and to use turn signals to warn other drivers of upcoming movements. At the end of the day, whether you live in rural Iowa or in the city, we all want to get home safely to our family.