Spring means tractors can be found on roads
EVANS CITY — With 13 million people in Pennsylvania and more than 60,000 farms, it is only a matter of time until motorists encounter tractors and other farm equipment on rural roads.
The need for drivers to be cautious when encountering farm equipment on roads was discussed by officials with the state Farm Bureau and the state police at a news conference Tuesday morning at the Soergel Orchards farm outside Evans City.
The planting season is under way, officials said, which means tractors will be on rural roads from now until the end of October.
Joe Dubovi, an executive with the state Department of Transportation, reminded drivers that tractors are legally allowed on roads.
There were 101 accidents last year between cars and tractors in Pennsylvania, accidents that resulted in seven fatalities.
Each one of those accidents could have been prevented if drivers had slowed down or passed with care, he said.
Speeding and aggressive driving are the two main factors that contribute to accidents between cars and tractors, he said.
“Remember, we all share the road,” he said, urging drivers to be patient if they encounter farm equipment on roads.
Larry Voll, the owner of the farm where the conference took place, said tractors are rarely on roads for more than a mile, meaning delays for drivers often aren’t long.
“We know we’re delaying people, but we try to keep it minimal,” said Voll, who is the president of the Butler County Farm Bureau. “We ask people to be patient.”
Rick Ebert, the president of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, said unfortunate situations can be reduced if everyone works together.
“Accidents can be avoided if farmers and drivers work together,” he said.
Trooper Ronald Kesten of the state police said drivers are allowed to pass slow-moving farm equipment, but he added it must be done in a safe and cautious manner.
He also said any farm vehicle that travels on roads should try to do so in the daylight, and he noted that farm equipment must have reflective devices on them to make them stand out to drivers.
