Drive safe - Watch for farm equipment on rural roads
USAgNet - 04/17/2024
With spring in the air, farmers are hitting the fields, and that means more farm equipment is on the move. As part of Rural Roads Safety Week from April 14-20, state agencies and the Farm Bureaus are calling on motorists to exercise caution.This annual safety push highlights the increased presence of slow-moving farm machinery during planting season.
According to Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) President Chris Hoffman, farmers prioritize safety and often allow traffic to pass when possible. The cooperative effort of drivers is essential to prevent accidents. PennDOT’s preliminary data shows a concerning trend with 83 crashes involving farm equipment last year in Pennsylvania, emphasizing the critical need for vigilance.
Drivers are urged to slow down upon spotting the Slow-Moving Vehicle emblem, an orange triangle sign, especially as farm vehicles might enter fields or make unexpected turns. Rural Roads Safety Week also includes demonstrations and local events to educate the community on safe driving practices around agricultural operations.
With over 52,000 farms and 7.3 million acres of farmland in Pennsylvania, encounters with farm equipment are common and often unavoidable. Hence, staying alert, reducing speed, and maintaining a safe following distance are key steps toward safer rural roads. Remember, safety is a shared responsibility—let's protect our farmers and each other by driving attentively.
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