The beginning of fall signals the beginning of many exciting things: schools are back in session, local sports begin, new hunting seasons are right around the corner and fall crop harvest is beginning. While these activities can be exciting, there are a number of dangers that this time of year brings as well.
• Kids are back in school. Kids can be unpredictable. They like to ramp their bikes off curbs and land in roadways. They do not always cross roads at cross-walks or look both ways before crossing. Kids can easily slip in and out of the blind spots of the large trucks, tractors and combines that are prevalent in our agricultural communities. Be sure to slow down around school zones and be ready to respond to the random behavior of children.
• The roads are going to be packed again. Between field equipment, teams traveling to sporting events, hunters and regular traffic, our local roadways are busy during the fall season. Whether people are thinking of a third quarter drive, scouting fields or looking for wildlife, many of these drivers will be distracted. Do not be that distracted driver. Put your phones away and focus on the task at hand. If you see an implement on the road, slow down. Remember they have every right to the roadway as any other vehicle. They are not required to pull off to the side so you can pass. Farmers, make sure your flashers and slow moving vehicle signs are visible, especially at night.
• Wildlife is becoming more active. Between the onset of breeding season and being hunted, our deer populations become much more active during this time of the year. While typically a nocturnal animal, deer will now move across the landscape and our local road systems throughout the day. Combine this with the loss of daylight during commuting times and we see increased chances for car accidents with these animals. Again, slowing down is your best defense. Also, be sure to keep windshields clean so that low sunlight glare does not blind you during critical morning and evening commutes.
• Our soils are highly saturated. All of our summer rain has put the structural integrity of our roads, driveways and fields to the test. While our county and state road crews do an excellent job of inspecting and repairing roads after damaging rains, they cannot catch everything. Remember that roads are meant to be driven on, not parked on. Edges of roads have given way when fully loaded grain carts are parked on them. Be sure to inspect field driveways before using them this fall. Significant water erosion may have occurred over the summer that would make them unfit for use with large equipment. Field edges will also be a dangerous place this fall as stream banks and other steep drop offs will be more likely to collapse under the weight of harvest equipment.
From pure elation to extreme stress, our communities feel a range of emotions during the fall season. To stay safe during this season, we all must work at tabling these emotions when necessary to focus on the tasks at hand. Remember, no matter what we are doing, we are always setting an example for others in our communities, especially for our kids. Let’s be sure we set the right example when it comes to fall safety.
Leave a Reply