Sharing Rural Roads Safely
Matt Nicol Sponsor Relations Account Executive
Nationwide
614-359-7342
[email protected]
4. Use flashers anytime you use public roads. The
Driving defensively is important for all drivers, but
is especially critical for farm machinery operators. Ac- American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE)
cording to the National Ag Safety Database, crash fa- recommends 2 flashing amber lights, mounted at least
tality rates in the most rural counties are almost double 42 inches high, in both the front and rear.
what they are in urban counties.
5. Comply with your state laws. For headlights and
Here are some more surprising facts about rural tail lights:
driving that come from the database:
Most state laws require using headlights 30
minutes before sunset, until 30 minutes after
Rural crashes are more frequent, more severe
and more likely to result in death than urban
sunrise.
crashes
Also use headlights whenever insufficient light
or unfavorable weather conditions exist. ASAE
Tractors are involved in the majority of crashes
on roadways
recommends 2 headlights on the front, at the
same level, positioned as far apart as possible.
Tractors are getting faster; some travel up to
They also recommend 1 rear-left and 1 rear45 mph
right red tail light mounted as far apart as possible, and 2 red reflectors visible from the rear.
Most farmers believe driving their tractors on
rural roads is more dangerous now than it was
6. Inspect hitches to verify they are sturdy and
a few years ago
properly mounted before towing equipment or using
wagons.
Stay safe on public roads
Especially during planting and harvest seasons,
more farm vehicles share roadways with other vehicles. That includes planters, combines and other
farm equipment moving from one field to another, and
trucks and tractors transporting produce or farm supplies.
7. Always use safety chains, if equipped.
This information was obtained from sources believed to be reliable. Nationwide Mutual Insurance
Company and its employees make no guarantee of
results and assume no liability in connection with
any suggestions or information contained herein. Furthermore, it cannot be assumed that every acceptable
To help ensure your safety:
safety method is included in this article or that specific
circumstances may not require additional methods or
1. Display the Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emalternative safety suggestions. Also, nothing contained
blem on all off-road vehicles.
herein is meant to represent or indicate compliance
2. Make sure emblems are in good condition and with applicable standards or requirements mandated
by federal, state or local jurisdictions.
properly mounted.
3. Use proper vehicle lighting.
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 9