As the Harvest Season begins, farmers will soon be traveling in large, slow-moving farm equipment on roads throughout the state. The Indiana State Department of Agriculture encourages motorists to drive with patience and caution as they share the road with large farm equipment in the current and following months. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s most recent data shows that for the year 2018, farm equipment vehicles were involved in 98 collisions across the U.S., including two fatal collisions in Indiana. Experts encourage motorists to leave 10 minutes early and be aware of alternative routes during the harvest season. Other organizations providing safety tips for driving during harvest season are the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation, and the Indiana State Police. All farm equipment must have the national designated slow-moving vehicle sign, a red triangle-shaped reflector equipped to warn vehicles approaching them that they are slow-moving vehicles, as they will often be traveling no more than 25 miles per hour. Farming equipment vehicles include tractors, combines, grain carts, and large trucks hauling agricultural products.
Harvest season means more farming vehicles on the road, taking up more space and driving slowly. While many drivers may be used to this during the start of fall, others are not and may endanger others on the road by not giving these farm vehicles patience and a wide berth. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed in a car accident, please contact the experienced legal team at Schiller Law Offices at 888-578-3100 or at IndyInjured.com to learn more about your potential right to compensation.