Harvest season is continuing for Hoosier farmers.
That means motorists will begin to see large slow-moving farm equipment traveling Indiana’s roads and highways.
"As harvest season begins, we caution all motorists to be mindful of all farm equipment that may be on or near the roadways," Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "Thank you to the Indiana State Police and the Indiana Department of Transportation for partnering with my office on this important safety announcement."
From 2020-2024, 22 occupants were involved in crashes with farm equipment in Indiana which resulted in seven deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
"Safety on our roadways during harvest season is a shared responsibility,” said Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott. “We ask that motorists exercise patience and grant our farming community the necessary space to safely navigate the roads as they work to harvest their crops and provide for families across Indiana.”
While the term “farm equipment” encompasses a wide range of vehicles, during harvest season this 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.
“Drivers must practice patience and courtesy when they encounter farm equipment on the road,” said INDOT Commissioner Lyndsay Quist. “Agriculture keeps Indiana’s economy moving, and farmers require extra time and space to do their jobs safely.”
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 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 try to pass slow-moving farm equipment on the left without ensuring that the farmer driving is not planning a left turn. It may appear that the driver is pulling over to allow a vehicle to pass when the farmer is actually preparing to turn. You will drive right into its path, endangering yourself and the farmer.
Additionally, 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.
New hanger project ready to begin soon at Mid-American Air Center
Bridgeport deals with water system matters
Sumner moving forward with Route 50 waterline expansion project
Knox County (Ind.) man sentenced for crimes involving Illinois college
Gov. Pritzker announces expansion of the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at SIU - Edwardsville
2026 Illinois State Fairs' attendance tops 1 million for second consecutive year
Gas prices on the rise in Indiana
Lawrence County Board to host budget hearing
INDOT announcing Lincoln Memorial Bridge closure
Lawrenceville Police active over the weekend with two arrests
Another fatal accident in Wabash County
Lawrenceville approves water system contract changes and new ordinances
Burn ban issued for Lawrence and Richland Counties
IDHS warns against disaster assistance fraud
Richland County Illinois man sentenced on federal child porn charges
Illinois taking action to assist farmers during harvest season
Lawrence County Veterans Assistance Commission discusses superintendent hiring
Applications open for Indiana's Advanced Nuclear Ready Communities Program
Knox County approves solar setback ordinance on first reading
