Beware of "seasonally blind" intersections

[Nate]

Those of us in farm country are probably familiar with the tall fields of corn and other tall crops now gracing the countryside. Being cognizant of this myself, I still had a close call at a normally open intersection that is now blind on one corner from a corn field.

It's a gravel road all directions and the cross road to my path has yield signs, but I'm quite aware that in the countryside if one doesn't see a dust cloud, the yield sign may often be ignored. So I'm approaching the intersection about 35 MPH and and check to my left and see it is clear as well as ahead of the intersection and simultaneously disengage the clutch and drop a couple of gears and concentrate to my right. Just then a slowing car comes into view and the driver was, thankfully, doing the same thing and looking to his left and stopped. I grabbed both brakes and slowed, he waved and I proceeded on through giving him a wave.

I don't wish to call attention to my close call as I've been expecting a close call at this intersection no matter what I've been driving for the past month or so. I want to call attention to those intersections that now have lowered visibility due to crops, trees, or tall grass or weeds. Those are among the hazards we need to watch out for no matter what vehicle we're operating.

I am thankful that the other driver was being cautious at this intersection which is normally quite open. Had he not been slowing I probably would have watched him go across in front of me as I was preparing to stop if needed.

[MFolks]

When I lived in San Diego Ca any road/freeway that ran east to west became fun to drive because of the sun either comming up in your eyes in the morning or reflecting in your eyes from your mirrors as it went down. Shades helped but the glare was still there.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by Nate

Those of us in farm country are probably familiar with the tall fields of corn and other tall crops now gracing the countryside. Being cognizant of this myself, I still had a close call at a normally open intersection that is now blind on one corner from a corn field.

It's a gravel road all directions and the cross road to my path has yield signs, but I'm quite aware that in the countryside if one doesn't see a dust cloud, the yield sign may often be ignored. So I'm approaching the intersection about 35 MPH and and check to my left and see it is clear as well as ahead of the intersection and simultaneously disengage the clutch and drop a couple of gears and concentrate to my right. Just then a slowing car comes into view and the driver was, thankfully, doing the same thing and looking to his left and stopped. I grabbed both brakes and slowed, he waved and I proceeded on through giving him a wave.

I don't wish to call attention to my close call as I've been expecting a close call at this intersection no matter what I've been driving for the past month or so. I want to call attention to those intersections that now have lowered visibility due to crops, trees, or tall grass or weeds. Those are among the hazards we need to watch out for no matter what vehicle we're operating.

I am thankful that the other driver was being cautious at this intersection which is normally quite open. Had he not been slowing I probably would have watched him go across in front of me as I was preparing to stop if needed.

I often ride down in rural PA when I visit my sister, so I know what you're talking about. The corn is high there right now.

Around my own area, the trees and hedges near the edges of roads and driveways often obsure dangers, as well.

A good reminder for those that tend to ride familiar routes on "auto-pilot".

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by MFolks

When I lived in San Diego Ca any road/freeway that ran east to west became fun to drive because of the sun either comming up in your eyes in the morning or reflecting in your eyes from your mirrors as it went down. Shades helped but the glare was still there.

Worst times of year for that are during the daylight savings time changes in areas that observe it.

[pat0021]

Not just intersections. Some corners become blind too. And then there is always the deer coming out of it too

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by pat0021

Not just intersections. Some corners become blind too. And then there is always the deer coming out of it too

Aw, heck...I aim for the deer. I have a small food budget...

[pat0021]

Originally Posted by CTRider

Aw, heck...I aim for the deer. I have a small food budget...

Come riding with me then... I seem to be a deer magnet. Super close call on the interstate just a few weeks back. That one scared me... If she hadn't decided to run at the last second we both were toast.

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by pat0021

Come riding with me then... I seem to be a deer magnet. Super close call on the interstate just a few weeks back. That one scared me... If she hadn't decided to run at the last second we both were toast.

You're only a deer magnet if you actually hit them. Right now, your a "deer curiosity"....

[Nate]

"Curiosity killed the cat."

[LuckyArmpit]

Almost got me a bambi last friday. I live rural so I know all about corn fields etc. The road I go on to work at 5 am is generally a deer party before sun up and after sundown. I travel around 30 mph tops on this road and am looking to my right in the morning for deer. Seen one about 10 yards from the road. Actually, seen its eyes from my highbeam. Automatically rolled off throttle, touched the brake and downshifted. The deer got spooked and took off the other way back thru the field. Now if one didn't know about deer traffic on the road, he would have been riding about 50 to 60 mph and that deer may have tried to scoot across. Wouldn't have been pretty.
I've seen deer near this road almost every morning when I ride to work.
So, it pays to know the roads you travel frequently.

Lucky...