As harvest season gets underway across Iowa, motorists can expect to see more farm equipment, tractors, grain wagons and trucks traveling on rural roads and highways.
Farm equipment can be large, wide and slow-moving. Iowa law requires farm tractors, tractors with towed equipment and certain other slow-moving vehicles traveling 35 mph or less on highways to display a reflective slow-moving vehicle device visible from the rear.
Motorists should be prepared to encounter agricultural equipment entering or leaving fields, making wide turns and traveling at speeds significantly below the posted speed limit. Drivers should slow down when approaching farm equipment and wait for a safe opportunity to pass.
Drivers should also be alert at rural railroad crossings. Agricultural equipment frequently travels across railroad crossings during harvest. The Iowa Department of Transportation advises drivers to stop, look and listen, make sure there is enough room for the entire vehicle or equipment to clear the tracks, and avoid changing gears while crossing.
The Iowa DOT also provides information about current transportation conditions and safety throughout the state.
During harvest season, allowing additional travel time, remaining alert and giving farm equipment plenty of space can help reduce the potential for crashes on Iowa roads.
Source: Iowa Department of Transportation
