HANCOCK COUNTY — This time of year, Kyle Fellerman spends a lot of time in the fields, harvesting his crop and offloading the yield for transport.
He also spends a fair amount of time out of the fields, running his big equipment from one plot to another. He necessarily must use county roads, and navigating them can be tricky with an implement big enough to take up the whole road and then some.
It also can be tricky for motorists he encounters, which is why local public safety officials are asking drivers to be extra vigilant as the harvest hits its peak. As farmers race to wrap up their work before the next soaking rain, a number of them are even working well into the evening.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and the Indiana State Police remind drivers that farmers have the same rights as automobile drivers to operate their equipment on the roads. They suggest that motorists approaching a piece of farm machinery from the opposite direction should pull over as far as possible and allow the farmer to pass. Those who following a tractor should remain patient and give the farmer a chance to find a spot to pull to the side.
Those reminders are a big help to Fellerman and the rest of the county’s farmers, who have to watch carefully as they make their way from field to field.
“This equipment is big, and a lot of times we have to stop around mailboxes and tree limbs hanging over the roads,” Fellerman said.
Drivers also should always be cautious when approaching farm equipment parked on the side of the road, officials said. Someone may be getting into or out of the tractor or truck or performing maintenance.
Robert Harris, public information officer for the sheriff’s department, said it’s especially important to be careful in the evening.
“Most tractors and implements have lights at night, but not all,” Harris said.
For their part, farmers are encouraged to have all lighting and placards on equipment as required by law. When parking equipment along the road while in the field, they should make certain visibility is maximized. Public safety officials also suggest farmers should avoid traveling on state and U.S. highways during rush-hour traffic.
Fall driving
Conflicts between farm implements and autos aren’t the only safety consideration in autumn. According to the Institute of Highway Safety, fall typically brings a sharp increase in the number of claims involving cars striking animals, mostly deer. The claims usually peak in the month of November and decrease through December and January. Wet leaves, colder temperatures, and an increase in rainfall also add to the mix, the institute says.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said, there are approximately 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions each year. In 2018, Indiana ranked 25th in car vs. animal crashes. Deer are most active at dawn and dusk when they’re looking for food. This time of year is also their migration and mating season, which is another reason they are more active.
“We encourage drivers to use extra caution, especially when driving at night and between wooded areas and cornfields that have not been harvested,” Harris said.
If a crash is unavoidable, officials recommend not to swerve to avoid hitting the deer. Not only could the swerve take a motorist into the path of another car, but it could also cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle and possibly roll over. Best advice: Brake firmly and stay in your lane, officials said.
Wet leaves can be as slippery as an ice-covered roadway, the Indiana State Police said in a news release. Drivers are being asked to ride slowly on leaf-covered roads and avoid hard braking. Also, fallen leaves can obscure lane and roadway markings, so drivers need to make sure to pay attention to the edge of the roadway and stay in the proper lane.
Rain and fog also tend to increase in the fall. Wet roads are slippery and may lead to hydroplaning. Drivers should increase following distance and not use cruise control. If it’s foggy, use low beams or fog lights and avoid using high beams.
The biggest advice for motorists this time of the year — or any time, for that matter — is to make sure everyone in the vehicle buckles up. Sudden stops from a collision or even hard braking are common causes of injury, officials said. Seat belts are the best protection.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Sharing the road” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Tips for motorists during harvest season:
Be patient when traveling behind farm equipment; farmers have the same rights as automobile drivers to operate their equipment on the roads.
When approaching farm equipment from the opposite direction, pull to the right of the traveled portion of the road and allow the equipment to pass.
Always be cautious when approaching farm equipment parked on the side of the road. Someone may be getting into or out of the equipment or performing maintenance.
Be especially vigilant in watching for farm equipment on two-lane roads and around dusk when conditions can make the equipment harder to see.
Source: Indiana State Police
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Autumn driving tips” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Experts offer this advice for changing conditions on roads:
WET LEAVES: Wet leaves can be as slippery as an ice-covered roadway. Drive slowly on leaf-covered roads and avoid hard braking. Also, don’t forget that leaves can obscure lane and roadway markings, so make sure to pay attention to the edge of the roadway and stay in your lane.
RAIN AND FOG: Wet roads are slippery and may lead to hydroplaning. Increase your following distance, and don’t use cruise control. If it’s foggy, use your low beams or fog lights and avoid using high beams.
BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES: Any roadway not in direct contact with the ground can freeze quickly. Morning frost can leave icy patches, and shaded areas may remain icy after other parts of the roadway are dry.
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS: Many vehicles are seen driving with only the daytime running lights activated. As a reminder, when only those lights are on, your tail lights won’t be seen by rear approaching vehicles. Please turn your headlights on as well for maximum visibility.
Source: Indiana State Police
[sc:pullout-text-end]
