Explain this wreck

[grandpa Love]

No idea why they are blaming the tractor driver?? http://www.northescambia.com/2024/0...6PC9gGGOw-yUytFLkAkZhhvt7xLLv3FqUBSa6bQNhYrsC

 

[J Hamilton]

Many times I've almost seen an accident in a similar situation. Usually it's a vehicle 3 or 4 cars back trying to pass and they can't see what's going on farther ahead

 

[grandpa Love]

Many times I've almost seen an accident in a similar situation. Usually it's a vehicle 3 or 4 cars back trying to pass and they can't see what's going on farther ahead

I hope the tractor owner has a good lawyer

 

[GChief]

No coffee in me yet, but the way I read it is he tried turning left while the bus was passing in a passing zone.

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

My home is about 1/4 mile from the farm property and I sometimes bring a tractor down the road for some yard work. RH turns coming but LH going back with blind hills at both ends. I've been hit a couple of times, never serious, and had many more close calls even with the wife following with flashers on. I signal a left turn well in advance but it's meaningless. Even had one kid say he thought I was waving him on. Reading the article, how is one supposed to yield to a passing vehicle and why was the bus even trying to pass? Oncoming traffic I understand. If I pull to the right I'll be in the ditch or waiting a long time at the top of a blind hill exposing passing cars who can't see over it.

 

[UncleTom]

But can you pass on an intersection?

 

[matthies]

No SMV sign either. Not that would matter here. Tractor driver should have pulled over as I doubt he could see around that hopper.

 

[moresmoke]

In today’s world you have to assume that you will have someone attempting to pass when making a left turn with farm equipment. It’s just what people do. Even with modern equipment that has turn signals, most don’t even notice.

My take on the article though is the bus was at fault. Very few situations where the front of your vehicle hits something that you are not considered at fault.

 

[504]

Why would you pass at an intersection? That is where you should expect someone to turn. He will need an attorney before this is over

 

[grandpa Love]

No coffee in me yet, but the way I read it is he tried turning left while the bus was passing in a passing zone.

Seems odd to have a passing zone in an intersection?

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Sounds like this is what happened: This is the intersection of 164 and Wilma Road as stated in the article from Google Maps. Red line shows what I believe to be tractor's intended path turning left on to Wilma Rd. Yellow line shows what I believe to be the bus's path as it attempted to pass the tractor. Tractor turned into the path of the bus, and wha-bam! People go to the hospital.

This is all conjecture, but the whole incident likely started a ways back. The bus driver saw the tractor going slow up ahead, no oncoming traffic, and swung out to pass. The tractor driver didn't look back, and abruptly turned into the path of the bus.

 

[Brownie450]

I believe Iowa law states no passing within 500 feet of an
intersection. We are on a state highway, & you wouldn't
believe some of the stuff that goes on.
One of the commercial sprayer drivers said a small car
passed by going under his rig. No one has any common
sense any more. That & too many toys [phone] in the
car.
Jim

 

[john in la]

Not that I agree with the law.


Florida Statute 316.122 says that folks turning left must yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the other direction. That means if you are turning left, you have to get out of the way of folks coming from the other direction. And, a driver turning left must also yield the right of way to drivers lawfully passing on their left in an intersection or otherwise close by. That means that if you are turning left and someone is passing you from behind, you cannot cut in front of them.

 

[crsutton81]

No idea why they are blaming the tractor driver?? http://www.northescambia.com/2024/0...6PC9gGGOw-yUytFLkAkZhhvt7xLLv3FqUBSa6bQNhYrsC

From what I understand, the tractor driver was trying to make a left hand turn to exit off the hwy and the bus tried to pass him and hit him. Here in NC, he would of had the right of way and the following vehicles would have had to wait for him to finish his turn, then the next vehicle would have they're chance of right of way. The state here no longer teaches driving hand signals in drivers ed or on the license test. I have given them while on smaller tractors and other older equipment without turn signals, but the general population of drivers get some idea that you are waiving them around you to pass. Everyone is in a hurry. I realize this ain't 1950 anymore with all the traffic on the roads, but if folks would just slow down AND pay attention, a lot less accidents would happen.

 

[Hdonly]

If the bus was already in the left lane in the process of passing then the tractor operator was at fault. I am betting he didn't look to the left before he turned. The story does not reveal all the facts though. Yes, the bus driver should have been more wary since all the vehicles ahead were slowing down. This was a case of poor judgment on both parts I think.

 

[ss55]

No idea why they are blaming the tractor driver?? http://www.northescambia.com/2024/0...6PC9gGGOw-yUytFLkAkZhhvt7xLLv3FqUBSa6bQNhYrsC

It makes sense, Imagine if that would have been a bicycle instead of a tractor. When someone is already attempting to pass you need to wait all traffic is clear before attempting to turn left. There is no need to recklessly assume that when other vehicles have the right of way they will always yield.

Maybe passing a short written test should be required before drivers licenses are renewed?

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Not that I agree with the law.


Florida Statute 316.122 says that folks turning left must yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the other direction. That means if you are turning left, you have to get out of the way of folks coming from the other direction. And, a driver turning left must also yield the right of way to drivers lawfully passing on their left in an intersection or otherwise close by. That means that if you are turning left and someone is passing you from behind, you cannot cut in front of them.

What if there is no indication from the tractor that it is going to make a turn? Those little Fords can turn very abruptly when going slow.

I've lost count of the number of times I've had a tractor suddenly dart left across the oncoming lane into a driveway or side road in front of me. No signal, hand or otherwise. They don't even look back.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

It makes sense, Imagine if that would have been a bicycle instead of a tractor. When someone is already attempting to pass you need to wait all traffic is clear before attempting to turn left. There is no need to recklessly assume that when other vehicles have the right of way they will always yield.

Maybe passing a short written test should be required before drivers licenses are renewed?

Except you don't need a license to drive a tractor or ride a bicycle.

Besides, I don't think the guy on the tractor was aware that the bus was trying to pass. I don't think he was aware of the bus at all.

 

[GChief]

Seems odd to have a passing zone in an intersection?

Did it say they were at the intersection? Was he at his destination and turning into a field? Or into a drive?

I'll read it again later

 

[J Hamilton]

Did it say they were at the intersection? Was he at his destination and turning into a field? Or into a drive?

According to this it did