Fall Harvest Safety Tips for Motorists in Vanderburgh County

By Andi Anderson

The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers to use extra caution on rural roads as the fall harvest season begins. Sheriff Noah Robinson emphasized that farmers will be transporting machinery between fields, often traveling at much slower speeds than normal traffic.

“Our local farmers will be moving farm implements and other agricultural machinery along county roadways to access farm fields,” Robinson said. “Motorists should be prepared for machinery to enter a field from the roadway or exit a field onto the roadway.”

By law, farm equipment operating at speeds under 25 miles per hour must display a slow-moving vehicle emblem, as required by Indiana Code 9-21-9.

Robinson explained the risk: “Crashes can occur when a motorist fails to recognize that the machinery they are approaching is moving at a significantly slower speed than normal traffic. The risk of making this miscalculation increases at night. Don’t attempt to pass slow-moving farm equipment unless it is safe and legal.”

In addition to farm equipment, Off-Road Vehicles are legally permitted on many county roads. Residents are encouraged to review local ordinances and expect higher ORV traffic during this time of year.

Drivers should also be alert for deer activity. October and November mark the peak breeding season for white-tailed deer, and as corn is harvested, deer become more visible on roads.

In 2024, Vanderburgh County recorded 80 deer-related crashes, including 11 with injuries. As of 2025, there have already been 42 such incidents, with two resulting in injuries.

Traffic is also heavier near popular fall destinations. “Traffic typically increases on our rural roadways during the fall, especially in areas known for agricultural tourism,” Robinson said. He highlighted Mayse Farm Market, Goebel Farms, Reimann’s Farm Market, and Farm 57 as high-traffic areas.

“With motorists and farmers sharing the responsibility of keeping our roadways safe this fall, there is no reason to expect anything less than a successful harvest,“Robinson said.

The Sheriff’s Office advises drivers to slow down near farm equipment, allow extra space at night, be cautious of unexpected vehicle movements, and stay alert for deer and increased rural traffic.