Tall corn obstructs motorists? views

AMES ? As Iowa corn grows taller, motorists should use extra caution at roadway intersections and railroad crossings where the driver?s view may be obstructed.

Iowa Department of Transportation statistics show during 2010 there were 46 crashes at rural intersections attributed to obstructed views by trees or crops. One person died and at least 49 people were injured. The state normally sees approximately two fatalities each year due to sight obstructions on rural gravel intersections and driveways.

?Anytime a driver does not have a clear view of what may be coming from a side road, the driver needs to use extra caution,? said Jeremey Vortherms, the Iowa D.O.T.?s state safety engineer.

Vortherms said motorists should treat intersections as if they had stop or yield signs posted and not enter the intersection or cross railroad tracks until they are certain no vehicles or trains are present, and then proceed with caution.

The appearance of dust from an approaching vehicle on a gravel roadway is often used by motorists as a signal to slow down at a rural intersection, but wet weather and special roadway treatments can hold down the dust and make it more difficult to tell if a motor vehicle is approaching.

Loose gravel can make controlling a vehicle difficult when making any sudden stop.

?Speed is often a factor in rural crashes,? added Vortherms. ?Defensive driving at slower speeds on rural roads is critical at this time of year.?

Tammy Nicholson, director of the Iowa D.O.T.?s Office of Rail Transportation said, ?Although trains are considerably taller than most crops, it still becomes difficult to see them approaching at an uncontrolled intersection where the view is obstructed by vegetation or other visibility hazards.?

Nicholson reminds motorists to ?Look, Listen and Live? when crossing railroad tracks.