Growing season is upon us and about 94,000 Hoosier farmers will be working hard to keep Indiana one of the top producing states for corn, soybeans and more. With heavy equipment on the roads, it's important for Hoosiers to be aware of slower traffic flow and potential delays.
In 2020, two deaths resulted from three vehicles colliding with farm equipment in Indiana. Nationally, over 270 farmers were killed in 2018 as a result of transportation accidents, with over 90 of those incidents occurring on roadways.
Farm equipment like tractors, tillage tools, sprayers and planters are much wider than a car and sometimes take up the entire road. Many cannot travel much faster than 25 mph. Whether you're an everyday driver or a farmer, we must be on the lookout for each other to make sure everyone gets to where they need to go safely. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture offers some basic safety tips, which are good to know and share with younger drivers.
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. Farmers will let cars pass, but it may take time to get to a safe place to do so.
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 pass when the farmer is 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.
Drivers should also be patient, plan for delays and be aware of alternative routes. If you're looking for additional safety advice, visit in.gov/isda.
Moving farm equipment between fields is one of the most dangerous parts of being a farmer and we all want to arrive at our destinations safely. I wish all our local farm families a safe and successful growing season.
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State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
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