Currently, over 90,000 farmers make agriculture one of the state's leading industries, contributing over $35 billion to the economic growth of our state. With harvest in full swing and thousands of farmers working night and day to bring in their crops, it's important that Hoosier drivers and farmers share the road to prevent accidents and save lives.
In 2020, two deaths resulted from three vehicles colliding with farm equipment in Indiana. Over 270 farmers were killed nationally in 2018 as a result of transportation accidents, with over 90 of those incidents occurring on roadways.
As a fourth-generation farmer, I know drivers can get easily frustrated when following slow-moving and wide equipment, especially for new drivers or those who may not be familiar with Indiana’s rural roads and highways.
Farm equipment during harvest season includes tractors, combines, grain carts, grain wagons, and large and heavy trucks hauling grain. These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road. By being on the lookout for large equipment and following basic safety tips, we can make sure everyone gets to their destination safely.
To reduce confusion and prevent accidents, I urge drivers to be patient and alert while on the roads, and encourage younger drivers to do the same. Farmers will allow vehicles to pass when it's safe to do so, but be patient as farm equipment takes much longer to stop and pull over. At night, watch out for equipment with a fluorescent orange triangle with reflective borders, which indicates a slow-moving vehicle going under 25 miles per hour. When a farmer is pulling over to the right side of the road, don't assume they're letting you pass, they could be swinging wide to make a left-hand turn. Also, don't tailgate and keep your distance, especially behind larger machines. I recommend leaving a little earlier to get to your destination and research alternative routes, if necessary.
If you're looking for additional safety advice, visit the Indiana State Department of Agriculture's website at in.gov/isda.
As a farmer, I encourage you to be on the lookout for slow moving equipment on our roads and share basic safety tips with younger drivers too. We all want to get to our destination quickly and safely, and if we're looking out for one another we can prevent tragedies and save lives.
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State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
CAPTION: State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) harvests soybeans in his combine Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, in Rensselaer. With harvest in full swing, thousands of Hoosiers farmers are hitting the fields and local roads. Culp, a fourth-generation farmer, urges drivers to stay safe while sharing the roads with farm equipment this fall.
