Indiana State Police, Lt. Governor Sue Ellspermann and the Indiana State Department of Agriculture announced on Sept. 9 that they will be teaming up to raise awareness of farm equipment on Indiana’s roads as the harvest season begins. The state is home to more than 58,000 farms.
“While motorists cruise the beautiful rural roadways of Indiana this fall, they should be aware of slow-moving farm equipment using those roads during harvest season,” Ellspermann said. “It is incredibly important to get this message out to ask all drivers to have patience and drive safely around slow-moving vehicles. I encourage all Hoosiers to be mindful and alert for farm equipment on roadways this harvest season.”
Indiana State Police Superintendent Doug Carter went on to say that Indiana drivers should remain attentive at the wheel, whether they are driving around other automobiles or farm equipment.
“To get from the farm field to the dinner table takes cooperation of drivers of both regular vehicles and farm vehicles safely sharing the road as crops are harvested and transported to market,” Carter stated.
INDOT Commissioner Brandye Hendrickson noted that drivers should also anticipate large vehicles occupying the roads across the state, including hills and curves on county streets.
The agencies ask motorists to be patient while waiting to pass and to be aware of the red triangle-shaped reflectors that are required by law on slow-moving vehicles.