ISDA shares harvest safety tips for motorists

INDIANAPOLIS — Motorists are encouraged to slow down, be alert and be patient on roadways this harvest.

From 2020 to 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.”

These safety tips for motorists were shared by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana State Police:

• 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.

• 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.

Learn more at tinyurl.com/ISDA-Harvest-Safety.