Leah Ten Napel, Field Agronomist
Harvest is underway across Iowa and neighboring states. I receive calls all week long asking about harvest progress and yield reports, but today I want to switch the focus to farm and rural road safety. We have been working all growing season to make this crop as successful as possible but ensuring that each farmer and community member makes it home safe at night should be the most important goal!
During harvest season we hear about many collisions involving farm equipment. October has nearly twice as many collisions as any other month. The most common types of collisions are the left-turn collision, the rearend collision and collisions that occur when motorists are trying to pass farm equipment.
The left-turn collision is the most common type of farm vehicle incident on public roads. It happens when the farm vehicle is about to make a left turn; meanwhile, the motorist behind the farm vehicle decides to pass. About one in five farm vehicle collisions are when a farm vehicle is turning left. Motorist should ask themselves:

• Is it really turning? Don’t assume a farm vehicle that pulls to the right side of the road is going to turn right or is letting you pass. Check the operator’s hand signals.
• Is there a turn signal? Look for a tractor turn signal and do not be confused by flashing hazard lights. Slow down when you see a turn signal.
• Where could it turn? Check the left side of the road for gates, driveways, or any place a farm vehicle might turn.
  Don’t assume the farmer can move aside to let you pass. Shoulders may be soft, wet, or steep, which can cause the farm vehicle to tip. Never pass in a no-passing zone, and when you’re clear to pass, always use your turn signals. Make sure you can see the farm vehicle in your rear-view mirror before you get back in your lane. Even if you must slow down to 20 mph and follow a tractor for two miles, it takes only six minutes of your time, about the same as waiting for two stoplights.
  Road travel tips for farmers:
• Keep Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblems bright and clean.
• Ensure equipment is well lit with frequent checks to ensure the lights work.
• Use signal lights before making any turns.
• Try to travel on less busy roads.
• If possible, avoid moving equipment during dusk, dawn and busy work commute times In addition to rural road safety, it is a good time of year to consciously plan to be safer on your farm. Take time to implement a farm safety plan, improve safety structures on equipment, create safe play areas for children on the farm, always use a life harness and an observer if you must enter a bin, and develop a hazard map for emergency responders.