Motorists: Stay Alert, Share the Road With Farm Equipment This Planting Season

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.

“Spring time is incredibly busy for everyone. Hoosiers families will be taking their kids to spring sports, 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 we get further into the spring season, we will begin to see more farm machinery using our roadways as farmers begin planting their crops,” said Anthony Scott, Indiana State Police Superintendent. “Let’s make sure we are all giving them the space and patience necessary to get from field to field this season, because our primary goal is the safety of all those who travel our roads and highways.”

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.

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.

Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb wants to remind motorists that farmers work hard to ensure they are being 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 get to their destination safely, whether that is to school, daycare pickup or a farm field.”

For a list of safety tips, click here or visit isda.in.gov.

*2022 data from the National Highway Traffic Administration is the latest available.

Join Hoosier Ag Today, ISDA, and Keystone Cooperative in sharing the message of roadway safety by sharing our safety videos on social media throughout planting season.