INDIANAPOLIS (April 10, 2024)<\/strong> \u2014 Planting season<\/strong><\/a> is quickly approaching for Indiana\u2019s 94,000 farmers. With the warm weather and sunshine, Hoosier motorists will also see more large slow-moving farm equipment traveling Indiana\u2019s rural roads and highways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Indiana State Department of Agriculture<\/a>, Indiana Department of Homeland Security<\/a><\/strong>, Indiana Department of Transportation<\/strong><\/a>, Indiana State Police<\/strong><\/a> and Hoosier Ag Today<\/strong><\/a> want to encourage motorists to slow down, be alert and be patient on roadways this spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIndiana farmers will be working hard this spring to ensure their crops are planted safely, timely and efficiently,\u201d said Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch<\/strong>, Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development<\/strong><\/a>. \u201cWhether you live in rural, urban or suburban Indiana, remain alert on the road this spring as you may encounter large farm equipment moving between fields.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 2021, four occupants were involved in crashes with farm equipment in Indiana which resulted in two deaths, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration<\/strong>*.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWith the onset of warmer weather, we will begin to see more and more farm machinery on our rural roads and highways,\u201d said Doug Carter, Indiana State Police<\/strong> <\/a>Superintendent. “Patience, courtesy, undivided attention, and understanding will help everyone get to where they need to be safely.\u00a0 Let\u2019s all do our part to ensure our farmers enjoy a safe planting season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the term \u201cfarm equipment\u201d encompasses a wide range of vehicles, the most common types motorists will encounter during planting season include sprayers, tractors pulling planters or tillage equipment, and large trucks hauling agricultural products. These vehicles are wide, sometimes taking up most of the road, and often travel at speeds no greater than 25 mph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following list includes several safety tips for motorists approaching large farm equipment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indiana State Department of Agriculture Director Don Lamb wants to remind motorists that farmers work hard to ensure they are being as safe as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAs a farmer myself I have heard of way too many accidents involving farm equipment and motorists on rural Indiana roads,\u201d said Lamb. \u201cUnfortunately, crashes and deaths occur each year during this busy time. We want to encourage motorists to slow down, be alert and be patient when sharing the roads with farmers this busy spring season.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a list of safety tips, click\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0or visit isda.in.gov. The following organizations will be working together to share this important safety message during planting season:\u00a0Hoosier Ag Today<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Indiana Department of Homeland Security<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0Indiana Department of Transportation<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Indiana State Police<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To find a local Hoosier Ag Today broadcasting station, click\u00a0here<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n To download Lt. Gov. Crouch’s audio, click here<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n To download Don Lamb’s audio, click here<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n