LAWRENCE CO. — Harvest season is officially underway for Indiana’s 94,000 farmers, which means more slow-moving farm equipment will be on Indiana’s rural roads and highways. To keep Hoosiers safe this year, state agencies are asking motorists to be alert and patient, as they share the road with farm equipment this fall.
“As someone who at times has to transport farm equipment on roadways for our farming operation. said Lawrence County Sheriff Greg Day. “I am very mindful of the dangers this presents to both the farmer and the motoring public. As we enter into harvest season this fall, I would like to remind our farming community to utilize all possible precautions to make operating farm machinery on the roadways as safe as possible.”
In 2020 three vehicles were involved in crashes with farm equipment in Indiana which resulted in two deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“I am asking other drivers to be extra vigilant while traveling our roadways this time of year,” added Sheriff Day. “It seems as if many people are becoming more impatient, and unfortunately driving more distracted. These types of driving behaviors make for more dangerous roadways in general, and only increase the dangers when slow-moving farm equipment is being operated on our roads.”
Sheriff Day added, “By working together to practice alert driving, we can all make it home safely to our families each night.”
Farm equipment during harvest season could include tractors, combines, grain carts, grain wagons, and large trucks hauling agricultural products. These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road, and often travel at speeds no greater than 25 mph.
The following list includes several safety tips for motorists approaching large farm equipment:
- Farmers will pull over when they are able to let motorists pass, but it may take time for them to get to a safe place to do so.
- Be alert. Farm equipment is wide, sometimes taking up most of the road.
- Be careful when passing. Do not pass in a designated “No Passing Zone” or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevation structure, or tunnel.
- Do not try to pass a slow-moving vehicle on the left without ensuring that the vehicle is not planning a left turn. It may appear that the driver is pulling over for you to pass when it is actually preparing to turn. You will drive right into its path, endangering yourself and the farmer.
- Avoid tailgating, as some farm equipment might have to make sudden stops along the road.
- Allow plenty of time to get to a destination, be aware of alternate routes, and avoid distractions.
“When you see farmers out working and moving from field to field, please be patient as they work to harvest their crops which are needed to help feed our communities and the world,” said Doug Carter, Indiana State Police Superintendent. “Let’s all work together to help ensure everyone’s safety on our roadways.”
For a list of safety tips, click here or visit isda.in.gov. The following organizations will be working together to share important safety messages during planting season: Hoosier Ag Today, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation, and Indiana State Police.
