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Roadway safety during planting season

Photo taken by Brent Barnett/Brownfield

The start of planting season means an increase in large equipment on the roadways.

Agronomist Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University says motorists should be extra cautious this time of the year. “There’s very large, slow-moving equipment,” she said. “Very wide, large turns.”

She tells Brownfield producers will entering and exiting fields frequently. “One of the biggest things I hear about is that a lot of times equipment will swing in the opposite direction it’s going to turn and that confuses drivers on the road.”

Anderson says the traveling public should give farmers plenty of distance. “Look for signals and don’t pass just because they are slowing down a bunch. If they are slowing down, it probably means they’re going to turn in one direction or another. Maybe just sit tight, let them turn, and then you can get around.”

Farmers are urged to stay as far right as possible on roads.

AUDIO: ISU Extension’s Meaghan Anderson