New York Farm Bureau has launched an urgent road safety campaign amid rising dangers from farm vehicle accidents on busy rural roads. This spring planting season, farmers are back on public roads with tractors and large machinery moving slowly, but deadly crashes involving these vehicles are five times more likely to result in fatalities than other accidents, according to a 2019 study by the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH).
Officials warn all drivers to exercise extreme caution when encountering farm equipment, especially in areas like the Finger Lakes where Amish and Mennonite farmers often use horse-drawn buggies or non-motorized machinery. More than 80% of agriculture-related crashes involve collisions with other vehicles, with many incidents caused by drivers impatiently passing slow-moving tractors on straight road segments.
Farm Bureau releases powerful PSA videos to boost awareness
The New York Farm Bureau has produced two public service announcement videos to spotlight this critical safety issue. One, created in partnership with Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck, reenacts a real accident to demonstrate the dangers. The other features Joe Tyler, a farm worker from El-Vi Farms in Wayne County who suffered serious injuries after a dump truck struck the tractor he was driving in 2019.
David Fisher, New York Farm Bureau President: “This is the time of year when farmers are planting their fields, so there are more tractors and large equipment on the road. I urge drivers to be patient and follow the rules of the road… A little patience can save a life.”
Tyler shared his harrowing experience and a plea for respect from drivers: “The extra 30 seconds you want to gain to pass us could cost a life or hours of your time if there is an accident. I was seriously injured when hit turning left. Please be respectful of the rules of the road—we all want to get home safely.”
Crucial safety tips for drivers and farmers to prevent crashes
Drivers are urged to recognize the slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem, a bright orange triangle seen on equipment moving under 25 mph. Key recommendations include slowing down, increasing following distance, avoiding passing in no-passing zones or limited visibility, and staying alert for farm machinery making wide turns onto roads or fields.
For farmers, safety guidelines stress the importance of:
– Displaying SMV emblems and speed identification symbols when traveling between 25 and 40 mph
– Using proper lighting and flashing amber lights at all times to boost visibility
– Remaining fully in the lane and avoiding soft shoulders, which increase rollover risks
– Watching for vehicles behind when turning
The Farm Bureau’s message is clear: as spring ramps up farm activity statewide, drivers must slow down and share the road carefully to prevent devastating crashes. The campaign’s PSAs are available to view online at bit.ly/SharetheRoad25 and bit.ly/SharetheRoad25-2, illustrating the real human toll when caution is ignored.
This urgent call for road safety serves as a stark reminder to all drivers from Alaska to the East Coast—farm vehicles pose unique risks on rural roads, and patience could be the difference between life and death for families everywhere.
