Corn obstructing view and raising accident chances with a height of a meter
In the picturesque town of Bad Waldsee and the surrounding district of Ravensburg, the annual corn harvest is underway, but with it comes a unique challenge—visibility obstruction. The tall corn stalks can make it difficult for road users to see clearly, leading to a discrepancy between theory and practice regarding visibility, as advised by the city of Bad Waldsee.
According to the Road Traffic Act, the sight triangle—which depends on the permitted speed of the main road—determines the legal regulations for distances to the road. For instance, if the maximum speed is 50 kilometers, there must be at least 70 meters of clear visibility to the entrance. As the speed increases, so does the required visibility clearance. For a speed of 100, the entrance should already be visible 200 meters before.
However, the clearing of a sight field is not prescribed for the continuous stretch in the area of curves, leaving it up to the landowners to ensure sufficient visibility. It is their responsibility to prune back the tall corn to prevent it from being a traffic hazard, particularly on public field paths, roads, and private driveways.
Road users are also asked to adjust their driving behavior to local conditions and visibility conditions. Slowing down at road junctions and being cautious when overtaking, especially in curves, is advised. The city of Bad Waldsee and the police advocate for mutual consideration and an adjusted driving style.
Interestingly, the press office of the Ravensburg Police Headquarters could not confirm that more accidents occur during the high corn season. Despite this, the sight of cyclists waiting at the entrance of a field path onto a country road between Hittisweiler and Mennisweiler serves as a reminder of the importance of caution.
It's worth noting that the Baden-Württemberg Road Traffic Act and the Federal Road Traffic Act provide for protective measures, but do not contain any specific distance regulations. This means that a routine inspection does not take place; only if there are concrete concerns can a case-by-case review be conducted by the city.
Unfortunately, there are no points of contact where citizens could "report" dangerous intersections. However, with increased awareness and mutual consideration, the challenges posed by the corn harvest can be navigated safely.
As the harvest is relatively late this year due to rain in July and sunny weeks in the first half of August, road users are encouraged to remain vigilant and take extra precautions until the fields are cleared. The subsequent rain gave the corn another good boost, but the harvest can only be expected to begin towards the end of September in most cases.
In conclusion, the corn monocultures that shape the landscape in the region can become a traffic hazard, especially before harvest. By following the advice of the city and the police, and by taking personal responsibility for maintaining visibility, we can ensure a safe and smooth journey through the cornfields of Bad Waldsee and Ravensburg.
