Photo submitted to Times Observer The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and Warren County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up to emphasize awareness of the possibility of farm equipment and livestock on rural roads this season as Rural Roads Safety Week kicks off on April 17.

Motorists have many things to keep their attention on as they go from point A to point B.

As the seasons change, the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office are hoping to direct some of that attention to the possibility of farm equipment and livestock being on the road.

Rural Roads Safety Week is April 17 through 22.

“Warren County farmers will be returning to their fields for spring planting and moving livestock to pasture, which requires drivers be on alert for farm equipment traveling upon the rural roads within the county, and large animal being led across those roadways,” Sheriff Brian Zeybel said. “The Warren County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging motorist to be cautious and patient in your travels. Driving fast or recklessly on the many rural roads of Warren County may cost more than a speeding ticket.”

“A collision with farm equipment or livestock is in most cases avoidable,” Zeybel said.

Those driving farm equipment are not well protected.

“Unlike the passenger vehicle, built with safety standards in mind, a farmer is sitting atop, or at best inside, a cab that is not designed for impact or collision,” he said.

“Farmers are aware that they are a slow moving and sometimes an extra wide vehicle and attempt to limit their road use accordingly,” Zeybel said. “The triangle you see on the rear of the tractor, or other equipment, signifies a vehicle that travels less than 25 miles per hour. This is your first clue to slow down, be cautious, patient and pass with care and safety.”

“Farmers ask for a little patience and request that motorists do not crowd them or travel closely to the rear, as visibility in some of this large equipment is limited,” he said. “Remember that that tractor or piece of equipment may be turning into a field or access point not designated for vehicular travel; so be cautious of wide turns and unexpected turns into field edges, etc.”

“Most farmers are courteous and will pull over and allow motorist to pass when they have a safe opportunity to do so,” he said.

“According to preliminary PennDOT data, there were 80 crashes involving farm equipment on Pennsylvania roads in 2021, resulting in two fatalities and six suspected serious injuries,” Zeybel said.

Rural Roads Safety Week isn’t just about farm equipment and livestock, although that is a focus in Warren County, Zeybel said. “In total, there were 26,784 crashes on rural Pennsylvania roads last year, resulting in 476 fatalities, further underscoring the need for safety on rural roads.”