INDIANAPOLIS — Spring planting season is here and drivers can expect to see large farm equipment traveling on the roads.
A farmer’s agricultural equipment needs additional roadway space, so be prepared to slow down, pull to the side, or stop.
Here are some tips on how to safely share the road with farmers and their machinery, courtesy of the Indiana State Police:
Tips for Farmers and Rural Drivers:
- Have patience and share the road; farm machinery can unexpectedly turn onto a public road from a field or driveway
- Motorists must quickly identify farm equipment and slow down immediately to avoid rear-end crashes; farm machinery travels slower than normal traffic, often at speeds of less than 25 mph
- Slow-moving farm machinery must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem on the back of the equipment
- Slower farm vehicles must pull off to the right when three or more vehicles behind them cannot pass on the left
- Machinery that is half on the road and half on the shoulder may suddenly move completely onto the road
Before passing farm machinery:
- Check to be sure that the farm equipment is not turning left. Look for left turn lights or hand signals.
- If the machinery slows and pulls toward the right, the operator is likely preparing to make a wide left turn. Likewise, sometimes to make a right turn, the driver must fade to the left.
- Determine if the road is wide enough for you and the machinery to share safely.
- Look for roadside obstacles such as mailboxes, bridges, or road signs that may cause the machinery to move to the center of the road.
- Be sure there is adequate distance for you to pass safely.