New York Farm Bureau (NYFB) is urgently warning drivers to share the road as farmers flood public highways with slow-moving equipment during peak spring planting season. The annual campaign counters a disturbing trend: crashes involving farm vehicles are five times more likely to be fatal than other types of collisions, according to a 2019 study by the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH).
With tractors, large machinery, and horse-drawn buggies common in rural roads—especially in areas like the Finger Lakes where Amish and Mennonite communities farm—the risk has never been higher. More than 80% of these fatal crashes occur from collisions with other vehicles, often when drivers impatiently pass slow-moving farm equipment on straight stretches.
Critical Safety PSA Videos Highlight Real Risks
NYFB released two powerful public service announcement videos to highlight the dangers and promote patience behind the wheel. One features a chilling reenactment of a farm vehicle accident produced with Cayuga County Sheriff Brian Schenck. The second video tells the personal story of Joe Tyler, an El-Vi Farms employee seriously injured when struck by another vehicle while driving a tractor in 2019.
David Fisher, NYFB President, stresses, “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.”
Joe Tyler of El-Vi Farms added, “The extra 30 seconds you want to gain could cost a life or hours of your time if there is an accident. I sustained serious injuries, and it was traumatic for me and my family. Please be respectful for us and the rules of the road.”
What Drivers Must Do Now
Key driver safety tips underline the urgency of caution around farm equipment:
- Slow down and increase your following distance when you see the familiar orange slow moving vehicle (SMV) emblem.
- Never attempt passing in limited visibility or no-passing zones.
- Stay alert for farm vehicles making wide turns, which can confuse drivers following the equipment.
- Look far ahead to anticipate slow-moving equipment and avoid distractions like cell phones — at 60 mph, a vehicle covers 88 feet per second.
Farmers Must Follow Safety Protocols
NYFB also calls on farmers to follow strict visibility and road safety rules:
- Display the slow moving vehicle (SMV) emblem when traveling under 25 mph.
- Use speed-appropriate speed identification symbols (SIS) when moving between 25 and 40 mph.
- Keep all proper lighting and flashing amber lights active at all times for maximum visibility.
- Stay fully in the roadway lane; avoid soft shoulders where rollovers can occur.
- Be vigilant of traffic behind, especially when preparing to turn.
Growing Concern for North American Roads This Planting Season
Though this campaign is New York–based, the warnings reverberate across farm states including North Carolina, where rural communities and major highways also see an influx of agricultural machinery this time of year. Fatalities involving farm vehicles strain families and first responders alike.
As planting ramps up, this campaign sends a clear message: drivers must slow down, stay alert, and pass only when safe. The stakes could not be higher — lives depend on responsible driving right now.
Watch the NYFB safety videos here: Farm Vehicle Accident Reenactment and Joe Tyler’s Story.
