April 25, 2017
Marshall County Iowa - Sharing the Road with Agricultural Equipment
Anyone who spent any time driving rural roads in Marshall County over the past few days has surely seen all the colors of the big tractors and farm machinery working the fields and driving on our roads. With the recent stretch of nice weather, the spring rush to get fields ready and crops planted is in full swing.
The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind drivers to be aware of the farm machinery on the roads during the busy spring season. Farm tractors and implements are much larger and heavier than the average car or truck. Most tractors have road speeds ranging from 15-25 MPH with some up to 35-40 MPH. This significant difference in speed often causes cars to be involved with rear-end collisions of farm machinery. Also much of the equipment is large and can use more than the width of one traffic lane. Farmers have to take up more of the roadway when going through bridges or where mailboxes are next to the roadway. Due to the slow speeds and large size of farm equipment, motorists need to remember to be patient and make sure that it is a safe place and time to pass.
A lot of today’s newer farm machinery has greatly improved warning lighting and reflectors compared to older machinery. Iowa law requires that farm machinery traveling at speeds less than 35 MPH display an amber flashing light visible from the rear at any time from sunset to sunrise. The law also requires that any farm tractor or implement display at all times, a reflective device identifying them as a “slow-moving vehicle”. This reflector is the orange-colored triangle with red reflective tape around the outside edge.
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 check before making turns to ensure that nobody is passing.
Springtime 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.
For additional information or questions, contact:
Sgt. Ben Veren, Traffic Safety Officer
Marshall County Sheriff’s Office
bveren@co.marshall.ia.us
(641) 754-6380
About Marshall County Sheriff's Office
The Marshall County, Iowa Sheriff's Office is headed up by Sheriff Steven W. Hoffman. Sheriff Hoffman is committed to keeping communities and neighborhoods safe in Marshall County.
For additional information or a sample copy, contact:
Sgt. Ben Veren
Marshall County Sheriff's Office
641-754-6380 Fax 641-754-6325
Sheriff@co.marshall.ia.us www.marshallcountysheriff.com
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The photo above was taken at a crash scene on Highway 30 where a distracted driver struck the back of a wagon transporting corn from the field. Luckily, the driver of the tractor and the pickup truck were both uninjured.August 26, 2024
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Marshalltown Police Department and Marshall County Sheriff's Office are preparing to host USPCA certification trials in August.June 10, 2024
Driver identity released in single vehicle fatality crash that occurred on 06/06/2024 in rural Marshall County.
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*IN CUSTODY*
