Are You Rural Road Ready?
As we head into the fall harvest season, rural roadways become busier than ever. Tractors and farm equipment are on the move, school buses are back on their routes, and more people are enjoying the crisp fall air by biking to work, school, or play. Unfortunately, this season also brings an increase in preventable roadway incidents—often caused by distractions, failure to obey traffic signs and signals, limited visibility, or simply being in a rush. With so much activity on the roads, it’s time to ask: “Are you Rural Road Ready?”
Sadly, too many lives are tragically taken each year due to failure to obey traffic signals and signs. With National Stop on Red Week 2025, being celebrated August 3-9, we are reminded that Safe Stops lead to Stronger Communities. As we are preparing for more roadway activity in the coming months here are some important reminders when sharing the road. Together, we can ensure everyone returns home safely at the end of the day!
Safely Share the Road with Farm Equipment & School Buses
During fall harvest, more farm vehicles and equipment will be sharing the roads with other vehicles, underscoring the need for caution when transporting equipment on public roadways. To enhance visibility and alert other road users of your slow-moving status, utilize warning systems such as flashing lights, extremity markings and slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblems. Ensure SMV emblems are prominently displayed, clean and present on all farm equipment traveling at speeds below 25 miles per hour. Also, while ATVs have become a popular means of transportation on farms and ranches, they are designed to be operated off-highway and not on paved roadways, except to cross when done safely and permitted by law.
Buses will become more prevalent on roadways transporting children to and from school and activities, as well as potentially requiring additional time in our commutes to and from work. It is important to obey the speed limit – always slowdown in school zones and near bus stops. When a school bus is stopped to pick up or drop off students, all vehicles in all lanes must also stop.
Motorists need to be patient and avoid distractions. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going to avoid being in a rush.
See Tracks, Think Train
Every three (3) hours, a vehicle or person is hit by a train in the United States. Annually, more than 2,300 people are injured or killed in railroad crossing or trespass incidents throughout North America. While some may think that incidents occur in areas that lack warning signs and visibility, more than 60% of collisions occur at crossings equipped with lights and/or gates. Current Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) data shows that highway-rail grade crossing collisions and pedestrian trespassing on tracks together account for over 95% of all railroad fatalities. Therefore, it is important to make safe choices when driving or walking near railroad tracks including:
Recognize and obey railroad signs, lights, and signals.
Always look both ways. Multiple tracks can often mean multiple trains.
Be sure to listen for whistles, horns, and bells; however, know that not all trains sound their horns.
Take your time. Never rush or hurry to try to beat an approaching train over the tracks.
If you witness an incident on or near the tracks or notice any activity placing someone at risk, immediately call 911.
Stay Alert for Cyclists & Pedestrians
Drivers must always exercise caution and avoid endangering pedestrians and cyclists regardless of who has the right-of-way. Both motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists should always be alert and focused on the road and all the traffic around them. Be defensive and anticipate what others may do before they do it. The sooner you notice a potential conflict, the quicker you can act to avoid a potential crash or incident. Avoid anything that may distract you or could take your eyes, ears, or your mind off the road and the traffic around you.
Pedestrians and cyclists should use a sidewalk when available and if on a road cyclists should ride on the right-side side in the same direction as traffic and pedestrians should walk on the left-side side facing oncoming traffic. Always obey all street signs, signals, and road markings, just like a car. Ride or walk predictably, so both motorists get a sense of what you intend to do and can react to avoid a crash. Be seen by using reflectors and wearing high-visibility or bright-colored clothing.
Protecting our Future Generation
Join the Progressive Agriculture Foundation on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. ET for a FREE virtual Rural Road Ready webinar to help kick off National Farm Safety & Health Week. During this lunch and learn opportunity, experts, Tim Mack, owner & operator of Bridgeview Farms (Zumbrota, Minnesota) and a nationally registered paramedic, and Dr. Aaron Yoder, Associate Professor University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Extension (Omaha, Nebraska), will share real-life experiences, practical tips, and actionable insights to help keep everyone safe on the road this harvest season.
PAF Safety Day programs offer age-appropriate, hands-on learning experiences to children and families throughout North America. Now in its 30th year, PAF Safety Days continues to be recognized as the largest rural safety and health education program for children in North America. Since its inception in 1995, the program has reached millions of participants and volunteers. You, too, can join the mission and provide education, training, and resources to make farm, ranch, and rural life safer and healthier for all children, their families, and their communities. Visit www.progressiveag.org for more information and click on Get Involved to learn about volunteer opportunities, donating to the cause, or how to bring a PAF Safety Day to your local community.