Rock Rapids, Iowa — The Sheriff of Lyon County is urging motorists and farmers to be careful as we are in the midst of harvest season, and the possibility for tragic incidents is high.
Sheriff Brian Hilt has issued a statement in his monthly newsletter, called the “S.O. Report” (“S.O.” stands for “Sheriff’s Office”.
He says that with the ongoing harvest and fall fieldwork, there is an increased amount of farm-related traffic on the roadways. This includes tractors, combines, and semis.
Hilt gives advice for both motorists and farmers. For motorists, he has a few reminders:
- Slow down early as you approach slow-moving equipment and maintain a safe following distance.
- Do not pass in a no-passing zone. No passing zones still apply even if it is passing slow-moving equipment.
- Be especially careful when passing nearing a driveway in case the farm equipment will be turning into it.
- Use extra caution at intersections. The right-of-way rules still apply, but please drive defensively.
- Don’t drive distracted. With the added traffic, much of it slow-moving, taking your eyes off the road to send a text message is the wrong decision.
Sheriff Hilt says he has this advice for farmers and farm workers:
- Ensure you respect the rules of the road. It doesn’t matter the size of your equipment. You must yield half the roadway and stop at stop signs yet.
- Make sure you have proper lights and signage. If you are driving a slow-moving vehicle, ensure to have the proper triangle and always have your road lighting on while on the roadways.
- Check your side before turning. Make sure no one is passing you before turning into a field drive.
- Don’t drive tired and distracted. Hilt says he knows working hours are long and sleep is short, but asks farmers to please ensure when you’re on the roadways, you are alert.
Also in the newsletter, Hilt wrote that there had been a recent fatal crash at an intersection in the county in which a resident of Lyon County lost his life. Although not related to harvest, Hilt says this crash was preventable. He says not following the rules of the roadway in this case resulted in a tragic loss of life.
So, Hilt says, let’s all use an extra level of caution this fall.
KIWA Staff Photo
