Fall harvest brings more slow-moving vehicles on Iowa roads
AMES, Iowa – Sept. 30, 2008 – The nights are getting chilly and it won’t be long before Iowa’s lush green farm fields turn to golden corn and soybeans ready to harvest. With harvest season comes increased traffic from farm vehicles on roadways.
Final statistics for 2007 show a total of 196 crashes involving farm equipment. As a result of these crashes, five people were killed and 18 major injuries and 47 minor injuries were reported. Of the total crashes, 110 resulted only in property damage.
Crashes Involving Farm Equipment/Vehicles, and Resulting Fatalities and Injuries
Calendar Years 2004 through 2007
Year |
Total Crashes |
Fatalities |
Major Injuries |
Minor Injuries |
Possible Injuries |
Unknown Condition of Motorists |
Property Damage Only |
2004 |
201 |
9 |
19 |
35 |
40 |
9 |
118 |
2005 |
189 |
5 |
14 |
45 |
36 |
17 |
107 |
2006 |
196 |
8 |
27 |
40 |
37 |
7 |
103 |
2007 |
196 |
5 |
18 |
47 |
34 |
8 |
110 |
Grand Total |
782 |
27 |
78 |
167 |
147 |
41 |
438 |
Tips for motorists
· Be alert and always watch for slow-moving vehicles, especially during the fall harvest season.
· Be patient and don’t assume the farmer can move aside to let you pass. The shoulder may be unable to support a heavy farm vehicle.
· Be particularly cautious as you approach curves and hills along the roadways.
· Slow down as soon as you see the triangular-shaped, red and fluorescent orange, slow-moving vehicle emblem.
Tips for farm vehicle operators
· Make your intentions known when you are turning by using signal lights or the appropriate hand signal in advance of a turn.
· Drive slow-moving vehicles in the right-hand lane as close to the edge of the roadway as safely possible. Traveling half on the shoulder may cause motorists to risk passing in a dangerous situation.
· Avoid encouraging or signaling motorists to pass. Pull over where it is safe and let the traffic go by.
· Mount slow-moving vehicle emblems as high as possible on your equipment.
· Replace faded and worn slow-moving emblems and clean dirty emblems.
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Contact: Scott Falb, 515-237-3154 or scott.falb@dot.iowa.gov
