Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Director Bruce Kettler, Hoosier Ag Today and many other state agencies have teamed up to promote roadway safety this fall encouraging motorists to watch out and slow down for farm equipment on rural roads this harvest season.
Lt. Gov. Crouch, as Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture, wants to ensure everyone gets home to their families safely.
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.
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 careful when passing. Do not pass in a designated No Passing Zone or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad 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. Be aware of farmers working near the road and semi trucks and trailers parked alongside rural roads. 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.
For a list of safety tips, click here or visit isda.in.gov.
