Police farm group team to promote safe driving
As farmers across Pennsylvania return to the fields to plant corn, vegetables and other crops this spring, representatives from the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the Pennsylvania Departments of Agriculture, State Police and Transportation joined together today to promote safe driving on rural roads at Rexroth Farms in York County as part of Rural Roads Safety Week (RRSW), April 15-21.
Windsor farmer Jim Rexroth hosted Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s (PFB) statewide event. “The purpose of Rural Roads Safety Week is to alert drivers that large, slow-moving farm vehicles and equipment are once again traveling on rural roads across the state. We’re urging motorists to use caution when approaching farm vehicles and be patient if they are delayed,” said Rexroth, whose family farm operation produces milk, beef and grains, such as corn and soybeans.
Farm Bureau notes that practicing safe driving habits on rural roads is important year-round, but even more critical now that spring planting is underway. “Drivers need to keep their guard up throughout the planting, growing and harvesting seasons by reducing speed and being more aware of other motorists. In addition, farmers and other motorists on country roads need to look out for one another and share the road, so we can save lives, avoid serious injuries and eliminate costly accidents,” said PFB President Carl T. Shaffer.
According to PennDOT, there were 92 crashes and four deaths involving farm equipment and other vehicles on Pennsylvania roadways in 2011. “We believe that four fatalities are four too many, and that is why it is imperative that the public hear our messages about safety on rural roads. If drivers reduce their speed and properly react to slow moving vehicle signs, many of these accidents can be avoided,” added Shaffer.
Farmers are legally allowed to operate farm equipment on Pennsylvania roads and they must display the Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) Emblem, which is an orange colored triangle with a red border, on the rear of all vehicles or equipment that consistently travel at speeds of 25 mph or less.
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary George Greig, PennDOT Engineering District 8 Executive Mike Keiser and Sergeant Anthony Manetta of the Pennsylvania State Police also participated in the news conference. In addition to the statewide news conference at Rexroth Farms, some county Farm Bureaus across Pennsylvania are holding news events this week to help spread the word about RRSW.
PFB has created a brochure with background information and tips for motorists and farmers as part of Rural Roads Safety Week. The brochure can be viewed or downloaded from the following link: www.pfb.com/images/brochures/current-RRS-bro.pdf.
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau encourages Pennsylvanians to consider the following tips while traveling on rural roads:
n Don’t rush – If you are driving on rural roads, chances are good that you will encounter farm equipment at some point on your route. Avoid rushing and allow plenty of time to reach your destination safety. This is especially important while traveling during April through November.
n Pass with care – If the farmer has pulled off the road so that you may pass – or if the farmer does not pull over, but you feel you must pass – do so with caution. Be observant for other vehicles that may try to pass and oncoming traffic. Never pass when curves or hills may block your view of oncoming vehicles, you are in a ‘No Passing Zone’ or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevated structure or tunnel. Also be careful that the farmer is not pulling to the right to make a wide left turn.
n Be patient – Farmers are not operating equipment on rural roads to slow you down intentionally; instead they are working to provide you and all Pennsylvanians with a safe food supply. Whenever possible, farmers will pull off the road at the first safe opportunity so you can pass.
n SMV = Brake immediately – The orange triangular Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem warns drivers of a slow vehicle speed. All farm equipment traveling at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less are required to be marked with a SMV emblem. Once you see it, slow down immediately. Remember that it is illegal for any resident of Pennsylvania to display the SMV emblem on permanent, stationary objects such as mailbox posts, driveway entrances and fences.
n Remain visible – Don’t assume that the farmer knows that you are driving near his vehicle. While most farmers will check behind them whenever possible, they are often concentrating on keeping their equipment on the road and avoiding oncoming traffic. Before you pass, use your car’s horn to let the driver know where you are. Note that farmers may not be able to hear you over their equipment noise.
n Yield to Wide Vehicles – Sometimes farm equipment is wider than travel lanes. If you approach wide equipment and cannot pass safety, stop. You can then pull off the road, turn around or back away safely so the equipment can pass you. Watch for pilot or escort cars, which help to indicate an oversize vehicle. If you see an escort vehicle, pull off the road, so the oversize vehicle can pass you.