Rural Roadway Hazards During Harvest
Busy rural roads are full of hazards in the fall, according to University of Missouri Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch.
The often rushed harvest season puts extra traffic on narrow, gravel roads early in the morning and late at night, joining school buses making frequent stops and recreational vehicles headed for storage.
- Dust and rain limit vision
- Farmers moving equipment from one field to another require extra space and make wide turns
- Equipment reduces visibility and slows traffic behind it
Working long hours during harvest season can result in fatigue and stress, reducing concentration and increasing response time
Funkenbusch urges drivers to watch for farmers moving equipment and to be aware of the risks of texting while driving, which can be a recipe for disaster.
Author's summary: Harvest season increases rural roadway hazards.