INDIANAPOLIS – Planting season is quickly approaching for Indiana’s 94,000 farmers. With the warm weather and sunshine, Hoosier motorists will also see more large slow-moving farm equipment traveling Indiana’s rural roads and highways.
The Indiana State Department of Agriculture and other state agencies encourage motorists to slow down, be alert, and be patient on roadways this spring.
In 2020 three Indiana vehicles were involved in crashes with farm equipment resulting in two deaths, said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
While the term “farm equipment” encompasses a wide range of vehicles, the most common types motorists will encounter during planting season include sprayers, tractors pulling planters or tillage equipment, 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 some tips for motorists approaching large farm equipment:
- Farmers will pull over to let cars pass, but it may take time for them to find a safe place to do so.
- Be patient. 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 slow-moving farm equipment on the left without ensuring that the farmer is not planning a left 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.