Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and State Agencies Urge Caution When Driving on Rural Roads

For Immediate Release: April 14, 2026

Contact: Luke Milhimes, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau

Phone: 717-731-3541

Email: lmmilhimes@pfb.com

As temperatures rise and planting season gets underway across Pennsylvania, drivers navigating rural roads should be prepared to share them with large, slow-moving farm equipment.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB), along with state government partners, is encouraging driver caution during Rural Roads Safety Week, April 12-18. Each year, PFB partners with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA), and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) to raise awareness about staying safe on rural roads during the spring planting season.

“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 commonsense, drivers can avoid costly crashes and save lives.”

“Rural roads are a critical route for getting food to all our tables,” Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Lisa Graybeal said. “For your safety, and for the safety of everyone who must share our roads, please be alert and patient as you travel across Pennsylvania this season. Slow down and take time to enjoy the beauty of Pennsylvania and the bounty Pennsylvania farmers put on our tables every day.”

According to preliminary PennDOT data, there were 85 crashes involving farm equipment last year, resulting in 1 fatality and 9 suspected serious injuries. Overall, there were more than 28,000 crashes on rural roads in 2025, resulting in 426 fatalities.

“Safety on our roadways is a shared responsibility,” said PennDOT District 6 Executive Din Abazi.  “We must all use caution when driving on rural roads, especially in the spring and summer months when farm vehicles are most common on these roadways. Please avoid distractions, never drive impaired, and buckle up for a safe drive.”

What drivers should know:

Farm equipment can legally operate on public roads, including at night, but must follow safety guidelines based on equipment size. Any vehicle traveling under 25 mph is required to display a Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) sign, an orange triangle with a red border, on the back of the vehicle. If you see that emblem, slow down immediately. 

When following a tractor on the road, it’s important to keep the following information in mind:

• Farm equipment may turn at unexpected places, into fields or farm lanes
• Large equipment pulling to the right may be preparing for a wide left turn
• Never pass unless the oncoming lane is fully clear and visible
• Never pass in a no-passing zone or within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, or tunnel

Events and Resources

PFB, PDA, PennDOT, and PSP held a Rural Roads Safety Week news conference at Merrymead Farms in Landsdale, Montgomery County, on Tuesday, April 14. County Farm Bureaus across the state are also hosting local events in their communities.

For more information including a safety brochure, demonstration video, and tips for drivers and farmers visit www.pfb.com/rural-roads-safety-program.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the state’s largest farm organization, representing farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania.