INDIANAPOLIS — 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.
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.
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.
Here are 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 find a safe place
- 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 pass a slow-moving vehicle on the left without ensuring the vehicle is not planning a left turn. It may appear that the driver is pulling over when he is actually preparing to turn
- 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
