Motorists: stay alert and share the road with farm equipment this spring

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, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana State Police, and Hoosier Ag Today want to encourage motorists to slow down, be alert, and be patient on roadways this spring.

"Springtime is incredibly busy for everyone, parents taking their kids to baseball and softball, track and field, graduations, and more, but it's especially busy for our farmers," said Lt. Gov. Beckwith, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development. "I want to encourage all motorists this spring to slow down, drive safely, and share our roads with farmers and their large, slow-moving equipment." 

In 2022, eleven occupants were involved in crashes with farm equipment in Indiana, which resulted in one death, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration*.
"As spring progresses, expect to see more farm equipment on the roads as planting season gets underway," said Indiana State Police Lieutenant TJ Zeiser. "Let's remember to stay patient and give farm equipment the room to move safely between fields. Keeping our roads safe starts with all of us." 

While "farm equipment" encompasses a wide range of vehicles, the most common types of vehicles 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.

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 the farmer driving is not planning a left turn. The driver may be pulling over to allow a vehicle to pass when the farmer is 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 reach a destination, be aware of alternate routes, and avoid distractions.

Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb wants to remind motorists that farmers work hard to ensure they are as safe as possible.

"Getting planting equipment from field to field is the hardest part of planting season for Hoosier farmers," said Don Lamb, ISDA director and farmer from Boone County. "Having cars pull over when able is a huge help, and farmers appreciate it, and we also try to pull over when we can to let people pass. We want everyone to reach their destination safely, whether to school, daycare pickup, or a farm field." 

The following organizations will work together to share this vital safety message during planting season: Hoosier Ag Today, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation, and Indiana State Police.