Agricultural tractor moving on the asphalt road after working in field.

The Washington County Extension Service reminds citizens to Share The Road this fall. Charles Swabb, Iowa State University professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, reminds Iowans that safety is a shared responsibility of farm equipment and motor vehicle operators. 

To avoid colliding with turning farm equipment, be on the lookout for equipment positioning itself to make a wide turn. Many motorists attempt to pass a farm vehicle not realizing that it has swung out to begin a turn. Rear end collisions are best avoided by keeping an eye out for slow moving equipment and adjusting your own speed accordingly. For their part, farm equipment operators must be sure to mark their equipment for road travel and signal their turning intentions. Harvest time is a time to think about safety and how to prevent catastrophe.