PA Farm News - Governor Rendell Proclaims 'Rural Roads Safety Week' in Pennsylvania

Governor Rendell Proclaims 'Rural Roads Safety Week' in Pennsylvania
HARRISBURG -- Rural roads will be bustling in coming weeks and months as farmers head to their fields to produce Pennsylvania’s safe and nutritious food supply. In response, Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed April 19-26 as “Rural Roads Safety Week” in Pennsylvania.

“In rural communities across the state, farmers travel on rural roadways in tractors and farm equipment to access their fields,” Governor Rendell said. “Farmers and motorists need to share the road and the responsibility of keeping our rural roads safe, so that production agriculture may continue to thrive in Pennsylvania.”

Rural Roads Safety Week helps remind motorists to drive cautiously on rural roads and to slow down when approaching farm equipment. Motorists should be patient when they find themselves behind farm machinery.

“It is necessary and legal for farmers to operate large equipment on rural roads,” said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff. “While farmers take safety precautions to ensure their machinery is easily visible, motorists must take the initiative and drive carefully in agricultural areas, never assuming they are visible to the farmer.”

There were 88 crashes and four fatalities involving farm equipment and other vehicles in Pennsylvania in 2006.

Drivers should remember:

Anticipate that, between April and November, farm equipment will be on the roads.

Avoid rushing and leave in plenty of time to reach your destination.

Slow down when you see the slow-moving vehicle emblem. The emblem is an orange triangle that is attached to vehicles moving at speeds of under 25 miles per hour.

Use caution when passing farm vehicles, and do not pass if your view, or the view of oncoming vehicles, is blocked.

Farm equipment is wide, heavy and noisy. Don’t assume the farmer knows you are there. Before you attempt to pass, blow your vehicle’s horn to alert the farmer.

Never assume a farm vehicle that pulls to the right side of the road is going to turn right, or that it is okay to pass. Due to the size of some farm equipment, the farmer must move to the right before making a wide left turn. Look for hand and light signals that may alert you the farmer is turning.

Sometimes, farmers use large equipment such as combines. If equipment is larger than the travel lanes, and you cannot pass safely, stop and let the equipment pass, then continue on your way.

Farmers should remember:

Before the growing season begins, check all equipment to ensure it is operating properly and review all safety procedures.

Always keep slow-moving vehicle signs free of any dirt or debris, and replace reflective material as needed, normally every two to three years.

Mark the edges of all equipment with reflective material to increase visibility. Since reflective material on tractors may be blocked by the towed implement, it is important to edge all equipment rather than just the tractor.

Install mirrors on older equipment for greater visibility of motorists.

Ride with tractor lights on, but turn off rear spot lights when traveling on roadways, as they can be mistaken for headlights.

If you have a large load, such as a combine, or are traveling a long distance, use pilot cars in front of and behind you. The cars’ drivers should use their four-ways and look for possible dangers.

When travel on roadways is necessary, avoid rush hours and bad weather. Do not drive before sunrise and after sunset.

Be courteous and pull off the road when it is safe to allow traffic to pass.

For more information or to access a Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Rural Roads Safety brochure, visit www.pfb.com.

POSTED 080426_1100 ET