See and be seen on rural roads this summer

We all know the old adage “corn is knee high by the Fourth of July,” but most farmers know that nowadays, thanks to technological advancements, corn is actually much taller than your knee by mid-summer.

By late July, corn should really be more like “head high,” or even towering over you at about 7- to 8-feet tall. But with taller corn comes safety precautions that Hoosier farmers must remember.

Many of us know the importance of road safety during planting and harvest seasons. Accidents involving tractors and other agricultural machinery occur every year.

However, fewer may realize that road safety is critical during the growing season, too, specifically at intersections.

I farm corn and soybeans with my family in northeast Indiana. Our corn is well beyond “head high” now, so I understand firsthand the importance of visibility on our rural roads.

When you are driving, you need to make sure you can see and be seen because it could be a matter of life and death.

Intersections along rural county roads often have crops that are so tall and close to the road, that they obscure the views of drivers and farmers in their equipment, leading to potential deadly collisions.

Hoosier farmers should keep this in mind when they are planting corn close to road corners in the spring and consider planting their crops farther back.

We should also remain vigilant about cutting back corn from intersections, so the crop doesn’t obstruct drivers’ line of sight. It takes just a few moments to trim back growth and could ultimately save lives.

As second vice president of Indiana Farm Bureau, I also have the privilege of chairing the Indiana Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee.

The committee is dedicated to keeping Indiana farmers safe by raising awareness of different aspects of farm safety, from precautions to take when applying chemicals or working in grain bins to tips and resources for rural road safety — not just during planting and harvest season, but all year round.

Don’t forget that everyone — both farmers driving equipment and motorists going to and from work — should slow down when driving.

We are all neighbors, so let’s remember to be alert, be patient, watch out for each other, and we will all get home safely.

Janis Highley is the second vice president of Indiana Farm Bureau.