Watch for farm machines on roadways

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - This may be the first week it’s felt like fall, but don’t let that fool you. Fall harvest is upon us, and that means you need to take extra caution when driving.

Indiana State Police (ISP) want to remind you that large farm equipment will be on the roads, and this means drivers in rural areas need to be alert to the possibility of seeing slow-moving farm machines.

Drivers should be prepared to slow or stop to avoid a rear-end collision or hitting a machine that’s turning into a field or driveway.

Another reminder: Farm machinery often travels slower than normal traffic, usually at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less. Automobile drivers need to quickly identify farm equipment and slow down immediately to avoid a crash.

You can tell a vehicle is farm equipment because they are required to display a slow-moving vehicle emblem.

Now, if you are one of three or more vehicles that are blocked and cannot pass on the left, slow-moving farm machinery drivers are required to pull off to the right to let you pass.

And remember, machinery that is half on the road and half on the shoulder may suddenly move completely on the road.

When you are passing farm equipment, make sure that driver is not turning left before you do so. Also make sure to check for roadside obstacles (mailboxes, bridges, road signs) that may cause the machinery operator to move to the center of the road.

ISP also says extra patience, careful driving habits, the use of highly visible markings and lighting will help prevent farm vehicle collisions.