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 and recreational vehicles.
Funkenbusch urges drivers to watch for farmers moving equipment from one field to another during harvest, as their equipment requires extra space and makes wide turns, reducing visibility and slowing traffic.
Working long hours during harvest season can result in fatigue and stress, reducing concentration and increasing response time. Add texting drivers and you have a recipe for disaster.
Factors such as dust and rain also limit vision, making it essential for drivers to be cautious.
Author's summary: Harvest season increases rural roadway hazards.