Spring brings increased farm equipment movement on roadways #iatraffic
AMES, Iowa – April 18, 2014 – A crash last Friday night left two people dead after their vehicle collided with a piece of agricultural equipment west of Van Horne in Benton County. This deadly incident highlights the need to use extra caution when sharing Iowa’s roads with slow moving farm equipment.
In the spirit of cooperation, the Iowa Department of Transportation is urging both motorists and farm vehicle operators to exercise caution during the busy spring planting season.
Data for 2013 shows a total of 186 crashes involved farm equipment. Those crashes resulted in nine fatalities, 14 major injuries, 49 minor injuries, and 34 other possible injuries. Of the 186 crashes, 102 resulted only in property damage.
Crashes Involving Farm Equipment/Vehicles and Resulting Fatalities and Injuries for Calendar Years 2004 through 2013
|
|
Injuries |
Crashes |
|||||
|
Year |
Fatalities |
Major injuries |
Minor injuries |
Possible injuries |
Unknown injuries |
Property damage only crashes |
Total crashes |
|
2004 |
9 |
19 |
35 |
40 |
9 |
118 |
201 |
|
2005 |
5 |
14 |
45 |
36 |
17 |
107 |
189 |
|
2006 |
8 |
27 |
40 |
37 |
7 |
104 |
197 |
|
2007 |
5 |
20 |
47 |
37 |
8 |
102 |
189 |
|
2008 |
7 |
15 |
47 |
45 |
8 |
113 |
201 |
|
2009 |
6 |
14 |
53 |
37 |
8 |
122 |
207 |
|
2010 |
4 |
12 |
42 |
39 |
8 |
132 |
203 |
|
2011 |
7 |
15 |
46 |
55 |
6 |
119 |
198 |
|
2012 |
12 |
11 |
37 |
36 |
4 |
96 |
176 |
|
2013 |
9 |
17 |
49 |
31 |
3 |
102 |
186 |
|
Total |
72 |
164 |
441 |
393 |
78 |
1,115 |
1,947 |
Tips for motorists
- Be alert and always watch for slow-moving vehicles, especially during planting and harvest seasons.
- Be patient and do not assume the equipment operator can move aside to let you pass. The shoulder may not be able to support a heavy farm vehicle.
- 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 the turn.
- Drive slow-moving vehicles in the right-hand lane as close to the edge of the roadway as safely possible. Traveling partially 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.
- Do not get trapped on the tracks; proceed through a highway-rail grade crossing only if you are sure you can completely clear the crossing without stopping. Remember, the train extends 3 feet beyond the tracks on both sides.
#
Contact: Jan Laaser-Webb at 515-239-1349 or [email protected]