As the 2025 harvest season rolls ahead, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is again reminding motorists across Iowa to remain vigilant for slow-moving farm equipment on rural roads. Gov. Kim Reynolds recently signed a seasonal proclamation allowing vehicles transporting agricultural products to exceed standard weight limits without a special permit during the harvest season. While the exemption helps farmers move goods efficiently, officials warn it also increases traffic risks. The two most common types of collisions during harvest are left-turn and rear-end crashes involving farm machinery. Left-turn collisions typically occur when a driver attempts to pass a tractor or grain truck that is making a wide turn into a field or driveway. Rear-end crashes can happen quickly, as a car traveling 55 mph can close the gap on a slow-moving tractor in only a few seconds. Drivers are urged to slow down, maintain safe following distances, and watch for turn signals and slow-moving vehicle signs.
