Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) and its partners in state government recently encouraged motorists to be cautious as part of Rural Roads Safety Week, April 13 to 19. Each year, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau partners with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) to spread the message of staying safe on rural roads during the height of the spring planting season. PFB, along with representatives from PennDOT, PSP, and PDA, held a demonstration and event promoting Rural Roads Safety Week at Dotterer Dairy in Mill Hall on April 15. County Farm Bureaus across Pennsylvania also held local events promoting safe driving on rural roads.

Farm equipment can legally be operated on roadways, including at night, but farmers are required to follow certain safety guidelines depending on the size of equipment moved. All farm equipment that travels at speeds less than 25 miles per hour is required to have a slow-moving vehicle emblem - an orange triangle with red outline - on the back of the equipment.

If drivers see the slow-moving vehicle emblem, it is a sign to slow down immediately. It takes only five seconds to close a gap the length of a football field if a vehicle is driving 55 miles per hour and a tractor is moving at 15 miles per hour. When following farm equipment, drivers should stay at a safe distance, be patient, and exercise caution.

Drivers should be aware that farm equipment may turn at an unexpected place, such as into a field, and may make a wide left turn if it pulls to the right. Drivers should be sure that the oncoming lane is clear and visible before passing large equipment, and they should never pass in a no-passing zone or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevated structure, or tunnel.

"Farmers make the safety of other motorists a top priority when we must move equipment on the roadway, and we ask that drivers help keep us safe as well," said Pennsylvania Farm Bureau president Chris Hoffman. "We don't want to cause an inconvenience to anyone and will often pull over to allow others to pass when it's safe to do so. We just ask that drivers remain patient when following farm equipment and keep a safe distance. By slowing down and using caution and common sense, drivers can avoid costly crashes and save lives."

To access more tips for drivers and farmers, visit http://www.pfb.com/rrs.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau represents farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania.