UI Study finds simple changes could dramatically reduce farm equipment crashes

(KCRG)
Published: Oct. 20, 2016 at 3:22 PM CDT
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More lighting and refection devices on farm vehicles would decrease crashes involving those vehicles by more than 50 percent, according to a new study by the University of Iowa and the Great Plains Center for Agricultural Health.

Researchers studied farm vehicle crashes in nine states to reach their conclusion. All of the Midwestern states studied required some level of marking, but none reached the "best practice" standards put forth by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.

Researchers say state laws or community ordinances could cut down on the number of crashes in Iowa.

The study estimates crashes would decrease from an annual average of 164 to 65 in Iowa.

"The standards suggest certain numbers of headlights, taillights, turn signals, and other exterior lighting visible to other drivers, as well as the number and size of reflective markers," researchers said in a news release.

The study is available at the following web address: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5013097/

Hear from researchers tonight on the KCRG-TV9 News at 5 p.m.