Drive safely this harvest season

AMES, Iowa — With harvest underway, combines, grain carts and other large equipment are appearing on Iowa roads. Drivers are reminded to slow down and share the road with farm machinery this fall.

“As this week is National Farm Safety and Health Week, it is essential for all of us to remember that we need to slow down and share the roads with slow-moving farm equipment,” said Kapil Arora, field agricultural engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Farm equipment is often wide, long and unable to move fully onto the shoulder, Arora said. “If you are approaching farm equipment from the opposite side of the road, slow down and consider moving to the far edge of your lane or onto the shoulder to provide ample space to pass safely. If you are approaching the farm equipment from behind, slow down and be prepared to stop if the equipment is turning.”

Farm operators also share responsibility for safety. “As an operator, you can be selective when moving equipment between fields by avoiding peak traffic hours,” Arora said. “As you prepare to travel, clear dust off all lights, signals, reflectors and the slow-moving emblem so they are clearly visible to other drivers.”

Everyone plays a role in keeping roads safe. “Everyone has places to go, loved ones to meet, work to do and things to get done, so let’s take precautions, slow down, be alert and have collision-free roads this fall,” said Arora.