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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 11:12 PM CDT
Growing corn crops make rural intersections more dangerous

By MARY COX, Coles County Farm Bureau manager

With the crazy spring weather we have had, it has been nice these last couple of weeks to have drier weather move into the area. Although Monday morning the rain just came pouring down. Just when I thought it was letting up it would start to rain harder. Mother Nature is definitely unpredictable.

However, she did give us a break for a couple of weeks. During that time the crops were able to grow. Within in a week you could see a big difference in height from the beginning of the week to the end of the week.

Last week while traveling the country roads to get to a meeting the crop growth was quite evident, especially when I was at an intersection that had corn. The corn is tall enough now that it makes it difficult to see at intersections. That is why it is necessary to be cautious when approaching these intersections.

Crashes at rural intersections, although less frequent those at urban or suburban intersections, are often more catastrophic than their counterparts because of the high vehicle speeds that are associated with them. According to the Nation Safety Council 32 percent of all rural crashes occur at intersections, and approximately one in every three crashes occurs at or near an intersection.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reported in 2006 that 24 percent of accidents on rural roads were fatal and 9 percent were injury accidents.

So, what can you do to keep you and your family safe at these rural intersections?

- Reduce your speed as you approach the intersection.

- Come to a complete stop and then slowly move out until you can see clearly.

- Stay on your side of the road.

-Be alert.

I know that we all get in a hurry to get somewhere and we do not always make good judgments while driving, but remember that it is better to be late than to never get there. It will only take a few seconds for an accident to happen that is why it is important to be a defensive driver.

PrimeTimers to meet

PrimeTimers will be meeting July 17 at the Farm Bureau Building, 11:30 a.m.

The program will be your stories and lunch will be catered.

Mary Cox is the manager of the Coles County Farm Bureau.

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123 wrote on Jul 10, 2008 7:15 AM:

" I have another suggestion for safety, how about not planting corn clear down into the ditches so cars may see when they come up to an intersection? "

HisChild wrote on Jul 11, 2008 5:58 PM:

" Thank you Mary for this important and timely reminder!

Thank you 123, we certainly agree with you on that one!

God bless and keep all safe! :-) "

cd wrote on Jul 12, 2008 9:50 AM:

" How about only planting beans in the 4-8 rows next to the road. The rest of the field can be corn.

Farmers, that little extra work could save a life, ... yours or your families. "

medic57 wrote on Jul 12, 2008 10:24 AM:

" How about not being an idiot driver and slowing down at the crossings, The farmer has the right to plant all of his field. "

ItsJustDave wrote on Jul 13, 2008 4:22 PM:

" I know this is blasphemy in Central Illinois, but how about the government subsidized farmers giving up a few feet of farmland, and 'cuttting corners', as it were? A farmer with a couple thousand acres might lose $50 by triangulating his corners at intersections.

Or, as an alternative, try the vigilante approach - whack down the corn at intersections yourself. Get busted? Pay the farmer for the 3 bushels he loses by making the intersection safe.

I'd LOVE to be on that jury. "

gringa wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:33 PM:

" Hate to say it, but I'm thinking this is one time where public safety trumps profits. Perhaps we need a law that prohibits a farmer from creating these dangerous blind corners. "

123 wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:43 AM:

" Hey Medic 57, you are correct, the farmer can plant his whole field. The key point is HIS FIELD, not the township ground or county property! Come on down and take ride with me and I will gladly show you where they are down into the ditches and the county technicaly owns that ground. Also, I think we subsidize farmers enough not to plant corn, more money is not the answer. "

Equalizer wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:46 AM:

" gringa wrote on Jul 13, 2008 10:33 PM:
" Hate to say it, but I'm thinking this is one time where public safety trumps profits. Perhaps we need a law that prohibits a farmer from creating these dangerous blind corners. "

AMEN and AMEN!!! "

father bob wrote on Jul 14, 2008 2:35 PM:

" medic57 wrote on Jul 12, 2008 10:24 AM:
" How about not being an idiot driver and slowing down at the crossings, The farmer has the right to plant all of his field. """

yeah. yeah, yeah.....there used to fence rows and ditches too. you guys figured out you could winter-over in florida if you sold off your livestock, and could get and extra $100 bucks if you plowed in the ditches and farmed township right-of-way. it's called greed. "

medic57 wrote on Jul 14, 2008 4:54 PM:

" In my 35+ years of driving. I have never seen corn planted in ditches or up to the road. However, I have come to a complete stop when I didn't have a stop sign about the time some idiot blew through his stop sign,it's called definsive driving. "

Equalizer wrote on Jul 14, 2008 5:05 PM:

" Medic...you are lucky to be alive if you have come to a complete stop where there was no stop sign. Driving like that could've cost you and many others their lives if someone was behind you and knew there was no stop sign. Defensive driving is not imagining stop signs where none exist. "

Harry Potter wrote on Jul 14, 2008 6:57 PM:

" The same folks who criticise Blago for corruption, cronyism, malfeasance and the like are the same folks who defend George Bush for the very same thing. Incredible. "

Billie Brant wrote on Jul 14, 2008 7:23 PM:

" Equalizer-If indeed medic was referring to coming to a stop at a corner where there was tall corn, he did the right thing stop sign or not. Any idiot that would rear end someone on a country road because they stopped to check the traffic when the corn is high is beyond stupid! They were following too closely to start with. And the "no-brains " driver that blew the stop sign in "tall corn" season was beyound stupid!

In order to drive into my driveway, I have to stop and look before I drive in because there's a curve to the right. Folks coming from my right ARE NOT visible when the corn is high until they are in the middle of the curve. Many times they not only blast around the curve, they cut it on the inside and are in MY lane as they come around. Smart huh!

So you can bet your sweet a55 I'm stopping , stop sign or not! Keep your butt far enough behind me and there won't be any problems of rear-endng!

Everyone needs to be more aware when the corn is high. That's defensive driving! Be prepared for folks to stop and check the traffic during the corn season. Common sense! "

The Cleveland Steamer wrote on Jul 14, 2008 8:00 PM:

" Yo Equalizer. Have you never heard of an uncontrolled intersection? Is one supposed to just take the 1/10,000 chance of getting t-boned at them? That would be like playing Russian roulette except much safer. "

medic57 wrote on Jul 15, 2008 9:20 AM:

" Equalizer

That is why cars have brake lights, unless idiots behind you aren't paying attention. "

father bob wrote on Jul 15, 2008 9:38 AM:

" medic57 wrote on Jul 14, 2008 4:54 PM:
" In my 35+ years of driving. I have never seen corn planted in ditches or up to the road."""

you need to get off on some of the secondary country roads. especially those where water stands. many times they're tilled to within 3-4 feet of the road with virtually no drainage.

obviously in your 35+ years of driving you've not been very observant. you must be one of those folks we all have to look out for. "

Equalizer wrote on Jul 15, 2008 11:14 AM:

" EXACTLY! Just as there are signs in parking places near intersections that say NO TRUCKS OR VANS, there should be STOP signs on all intersections where one cannot see past the corn...or it should be ordinance that the corn be cleared back six or eight feet so that the intersections can be seen. End of story. "

Equalizer wrote on Jul 15, 2008 11:15 AM:

" Medic, you sure resort to name calling a lot, how old are you? "

HerChild wrote on Jul 15, 2008 11:24 AM:

" We've seen corn planted right up to the road many times, and think that should be stopped for the safety of everyone. 35+ years of driving Medic? That matters not, what matters is how do you drive now. We'd rather not be on the road with someone who is constantly calling others idiots. It shows lack of respect for others and road rage. Perhaps in your old age, it's time for you to take a cab. "

farmwife wrote on Jul 15, 2008 4:19 PM:

" Being a farmers wife I can tell you we do make sure that our crop is back far enough for everyone to see around. However as a driver you must slow down and be prepared for anything and every possible situation. Fifty years ago most of us planted as far as we could and why cause we can, just like the townies that feel the need to plant trees, shrubs and "wild" flowers on the boulavard! "

medic57 wrote on Jul 15, 2008 8:53 PM:

" you must be one of those folks we all have to look out for. "

Not me, I consider every country intersection a 4 way stop. "

medic57 wrote on Jul 15, 2008 8:55 PM:

" Well, in 35+ years of driving, I have yet to have been a wreck, my fault or otherwise. "

medic57 wrote on Jul 15, 2008 9:33 PM:

" Equalizer

What would you call someone who goes through a 4 way intersection with corn on all 4 sides, (8 to 10 feet tall) at 60 mph? "

Equalizer wrote on Jul 15, 2008 10:15 PM:

" medic57 wrote on Jul 15, 2008 9:33 PM:
" Equalizer

What would you call someone who goes through a 4 way intersection with corn on all 4 sides, (8 to 10 feet tall) at 60 mph? "

A Roadrunner! (Birdbrain) LOL! "

sapient wrote on Jul 16, 2008 9:59 AM:

" Equalizer: Most country roads that I have been on do not have traffic to the extent that one cannot slow down or stop at an intersection safely. Why should you expect the farmer to give up part of his/her income so you do not have to be inconvenienced by slowing down? "

The Question wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:06 PM:

" Why should you expect the farmer to give up part of his/her income so you do not have to be inconvenienced by slowing down?
------------
Maybe so that people won't be slaughtered in needless collisions. But I forgot, Sappy. You're one of those "Christians," so you don't care how many people have to die for someone else's marginal profit. "

medic57 wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:45 PM:

" Equalizer

A legend in his own mind! "

HisChild wrote on Jul 16, 2008 9:31 PM:

" In her own mind! :-} "

The 7th Planet wrote on Jul 16, 2008 11:18 PM:

" Here is still another reason NOT to produce Ethanol. Growing corn makes intersections dangerous. NOW who's trading blood for oil????? "

sapient wrote on Jul 17, 2008 4:49 PM:

" I didn't realize that Equalizer and The Question were the same person. Ask one a question and the other answers. "

tammer65 wrote on Jul 17, 2008 5:13 PM:

" sapient, if you read their comments on religious threads, there's no way you'd accuse Equalizer and The Question of being the same person. Even though The Question is not a believer, his responses are far less venomous and judgmental than the so-called Christian Equalizer's are. "

The Cleveland Steamer wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:05 PM:

" I have never seen corn 3-4 feet from the road in my life either. Maybe Equalizer is claustrophobic and it just feels that way to him(her). "

The Cleveland Steamer wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:06 PM:

" However, sometimes the grass at intersections gets so tall that you can't see over it if you are in a car. "

The Cleveland Steamer wrote on Jul 17, 2008 6:08 PM:

" Hey 123. Just tell me what county road you are talking about and I'll drive their myself. Then I'll gladly backup your claim. "

Harry Potter wrote on Jul 18, 2008 9:05 AM:

" Perhaps the county board need to pass an ordinance limiting corn to 8 inches high and no closer than 20 yards from any intersection... LOL! "

Rotty wrote on Jul 18, 2008 5:05 PM:

" Good One, HP!
LOL! "

corn wrote on Jul 19, 2008 3:34 PM:

" I think all of you posting about safty are in the right. But most of the problems in our area of roads are people that blow thru the stop signs with corn or no corn around. Everyone thinks when they come to the country they dont have to follow rules and they dont. I live on a road that city people think that they can gain that extra minute of time in there life so they do crazy things but it is always the farmers fault. If we did cut back and not plant the corners we would have articles written that we are trying to starve people like what is written about ethanol (Right Harry).
The farm people know to stop when there is corn why cant everyone else that uses it slow down and do what is right. I know they dont care just blame the farmer.I have seen yards that have bushes or trees but nobody writes that they are wrong they would say it is my right dont worry about it. CD if we planted beans on the outside few rows the city people would go thru the stop sign at 70 instead of slowing down to 60 when there is corn so that wouldnt help. Just everyone needs to stop and look! "

Billie Brant wrote on Jul 22, 2008 10:04 AM:

" Some drivers are still blasting around the curve as they come from the south with corn in the field on the inside lane( my lane as I drive east)) in my neck of the county. Just watch. If they hit someone blasting around from THEIR blind side, they'll yell it was the other guy's fault. As it is I have to creep out and then go like hell to get across to get in my driveway. I'm tempted to get in the outside lane to do this because my field of vision would be better, but then I would be in the wrong one. All the tall grass has been mowed and the corn is not up to the road, but still being on a sharp curve limits your line of sight when tall corn is there. For Pete's sake! Stay in your own land and quit cutting the curve on the inside! It's dangerous! "

corn wrote on Jul 23, 2008 11:05 AM:

" I just thought of an example of the city kids what they are taught. Last year I went by one of my farms with a bin sight there were two cars parked there and I pulled in asked the kids what they were doing there. They said just hanging out and I asked if they knew if it was private property and the response was they were in the country it was ok. So my response was ok can i take my tractor and park it
in your moms front yard in town and he no that was private property. Just a good example of the mentality of most people when they get out of the city. "