INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) remind Hoosier drivers to buckle up and put their phones down this Harvest season. Motorists will see more large slow-moving farm equipment on rural roads and highways.
Farm equipment, including tractors, combines, grain carts, and large trucks hauling agricultural products are traveling at reduced speeds along Indiana’s roadways. These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road, and often travel at speeds no more than 25 mph.
There is no better time to ensure you’re keeping your phone down and driving distraction-free. Keep your eyes up, seatbelt on, and slow down this Harvest.
ISDA and INDOT recommend these safety steps to navigate around large farm equipment this fall:
- 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, or tunnel
- Do not pass slow-moving farm equipment on the left without ensuring that the farmer is not planning a left turn
- Farmers will pull over, but it may take time for them to get to a safe place to do so
- 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
