Sharing Roads with Fall Farm Equipment

September 21, 2022 at 2:21 pm

In the photo above a tractor and grain cart can be seen driving on Highway 330 near Melbourne today. 

As the leaves start to change colors and the temperatures start to cool, it is a reminder that fall is here.   In rural Marshall County fall harvest is starting up.  Drivers can expect to be sharing the road with farm equipment for the next several weeks.  The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind drivers to be aware of the farm machinery on the roads during the busy harvest season.  Farm tractors, combines, and implements are much larger and heavier than the average car or truck.  Drivers should also be aware that trucks and farm tractor trailers will be turning in and out of farm field drives where drivers aren’t used to seeing turning traffic.  Drivers should be patient and make sure it is safe to pass slow-moving equipment. 

Farmers can also do their part to help improve the safety of their equipment on the roadway by ensuring that all warning lights and reflectors are in place and working properly and keeping mirrors and windows clean to allow the operator to safely see other motorists on the roadways. It’s also important to remember for operators of the slow-moving vehicles to use turn signals and visually check before making turns to ensure that nobody is passing.  Farmers should make sure to use amber warning flashers when driving slow-moving farm equipment on the roadways after dark. 

Fall harvest is a busy season in rural areas like Marshall County.  The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to keeping the roadways safe for everyone including the motorists and those in the agricultural community.  Everyone needs to do their part to be safe and get to their destination or farm without being involved in a crash.  

The Marshall County, Iowa Sheriff's Office is led by Sheriff Joel Phillips and is committed to keeping communities and neighborhoods safe in Marshall County.  For additional information contact:

Chief Deputy Ben Veren

Marshall County Sheriff’s Office

bveren@marshallcountyia.gov

(641) 754-6380

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