Road Kill - a newer definition?

The photo above has been edited to conceal the identity of a volunteer for the 'Darwin Out Of the Gene Pool, Plymouth County' award.

I was preparing to enter Merrill, Iowa from the north on US-75 at about 1:20 today, taking my time and proceeding to slowly decrease my speed as I roll up to the first speed zone reduction before town without using any brakes (fuel efficiency is important, fuel efficient driving practices make the efficiency increase). What do I see for oncoming traffic in the LEFT lane of the highway without any lights on, no flashers, full set of duals on the back barely fitting into the lane and had just come up to the divided highway separation? A John Deere Tractor! Yes folks, the height of stupidity was seen! Luckily I was able to communicate with some fully loaded semi trucks headed North that would not have been able to respond in time as they were accelerating out of town toward the final curve. Where's a Sherriff when you need one? I was told the specimen did manage to change into the right lane as I rolled upon the 35 MPH zone. Luckily, these professional drivers were able to avoid damage to their deer grills (funny that they both had them installed!) by being forewarned of stupidity on the roadway.

So would we call this Darwin Gene Pool Removal Candidate Suicidal or was this a murder plot to take an innocent life? Maybe just an accident waiting to happen? Or maybe some other terms. I must stress that I am not against equipment on the roadways as long as they are properly marked, lit, and following the rules of the road and driving in a safe manner. I was trained that at any speed under 15 miles per hour under the posted limit was considered a hazard and flashers should be energized. I also am aware of minimum speed limits and for some reason IA-60 and US-75 have 65 MPH speed zones without minimum speed postings. Do we think that coming over a hill, around a curve, or due to traffic patterns, we regular speed limit drivers would be able to respond to these SMV's? I understand that sometimes there is no other practical way to get from a base location to the field except to be on these higher speed limit roads, but it should be minimum distance and if not, maybe a DOT safety escort to warn oncoming motorists is in order. Maybe a road permit should be required? After all, it is all about safety and informing the drivers of the roads.

Shall I continue with the huge grain wagons that are over wide without adequate wide load warnings? Last week I got to see a very bright older man pulling one of these with an ATV! Sure it was a large ATV, but not that big. And furthermore, to be driving it down the county road where it is known to be heavily travelled with truck and auto traffic! Most vehicles don't push a lot of air to their sides like a truck will. Imagine a truck passing that oversized empty grain trailer and how the ATV would respond. Hmm, that was an interesting thought. Did your thought come out something like an ATV taking an adventurous ride spinning out of control as the wagon takes on the wind gusts and the driver being severely injured?

Both of these happened LOCALLY in Plymouth County. I wonder if we need to implement some equipment safety training each year to remind folks not to be operating the equipment in an unsafe manner that poses a hazard to themselves in addition to other motorists. How many other potential hazards have I NOT seen this year that have occurred? I know that closing my eyes and hoping that just because I don't see it, it isn't happening doesn't change the truth! I like the signs in South Dakota that are reminders along the road of accidents that took lives with the word 'THINK' in bold lettering as a warning to future motorists to be thinking about safety as they drive the roadways. It makes a better impact than the cross and wreath shrines along the roads in most other states.

So maybe that is what the tractor driver was doing without any attachments or trailers in tow on US-75 today. Maybe it was road kill wanna be for recognition for all to see along the roadway and in the news and papers. One way to fame is through the government statistics where you can make your mark! The government is actually pretty kind as they remove the name to prevent additional humility to Road Kill.

PLEASE let's not have any deaths or injuries in Plymouth County this harvest season on the roadways!!! Keep alert! And remember, Only YOU can prevent Road Kill. (well I can too, and will; but you know what I mean!)

That's all for today, Folks! BE SAFE, have fun, and watch out for those crazy drivers!