Crash in Hamilton County on July 1, (Hamilton County Sheriff's Office, Courtesy)
HAMILTON CO. — After two accidents during the morning of July 1, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office warned of crashes at county road intersections due to growing crops restricting visibility.
The sheriff’s office took to social media with a picture of a vehicle upside down in a ditch and a damaged John Deere tractor to warn about potential accidents. It was noted the accident only resulted in minor injuries.
“The corn is high enough that you can’t see vehicles coming the other directions. Please slow down and make sure the intersection is clear before going through,” the sheriff’s office stated.
What are the best ways to stay safe:
Slow down. Follow the speed limit. Where corn is high on curves, reduce your speed.
If you have a stop sign at an intersection, come to a complete stop.
Even if you don’t have a stop sign, don’t assume others will stop. Slow down and make sure there is no cross traffic before proceeding into the intersection.
Talk to young and inexperienced drivers. Inexperienced drivers may simply not know how much more dangerous it is to drive in the country with corn up.
Although harvest season is not upon us yet, farmers may still be moving machinery around ahead of fall. Watch out for tractors and other heavy equipment on hills, curves, and other areas where tall corn may limit visibility.
As we head into harvest season, be particularly cautious and drive defensively around agricultural workers, farm equipment, and grain trucks.
Keep in mind some of these vehicles will be operated by inexperienced drivers, or drivers who only operate this type of equipment once a year. Driver fatigue is also an unfortunate reality at harvest.
