Share the road with farm vehicles

Driving in rural areas requires keeping alert for tractors and other farm vehicles.

Truck driving past a field

Driving on rural roads may leave a driver with feeling safe and relaxed but their perceptions may be unfounded. Many factors make country roads risky. One of the big problems? Drivers' inexperience sharing the road with large farm vehicles.

How to safely drive around farm vehicles

  • Drive defensively, especially during planting and harvest seasons. Recognizing that you're in an agricultural environment and being alert will help you avoid dangerous situations as much as possible.
  • Slow down. Farm vehicles often travel at slow speeds. To reduce the risk of a collision, begin braking when you see the slow-moving vehicle emblem. Also stay a safe distance back — around 50 feet.
  • Pass carefully. Take the standard precautions: Wait for a safe passing zone, watch for oncoming traffic, signal and return to the lane once the vehicle is in your rearview mirror. If the vehicle is extra-wide, wait to pass until the driver pulls over and signals that it's safe. Honk your horn beforehand in case the driver can't see you.
  • Yield. Give a wide farm vehicle the right-of-way when it's traveling the opposite direction. Farm vehicles can't always pull over to the road's shoulder safely. If possible, pull onto the shoulder or into a turn-out to allow the farm vehicle to pass.
  • Be patient. A driver may appear to be pulling to the right to let you pass when he or she is actually making a wide left-hand turn. Before speeding past, look for driveways, roads or fields where the vehicle might be entering. Also check for hand gestures or lights signaling the driver's intention to turn. Know the basics. Following the speed limit and wearing your safetybelt is just as important in the country as it is on city streets
  • Take a second look. Before you pull into an intersection or make a move to pass, be sure your path is clear in all directions. Tall crops can create "blind"corners, and farm vehicles could enter the roadway from unmarked access drives on the fields.
  • Follow the rules. In general, farm vehicle operators must follow the same rules of the road as car drivers when they are on the road. Farm vehicles will have the right of way in a situation if a car would have had the right of way.

Learn more about sharing the road with other vehicles, such as motorcycles, bicycles and school buses with tips from State Farm®.

The information in this article was obtained from various sources not associated with State Farm® (including State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates). While we believe it to be reliable and accurate, we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information. State Farm is not responsible for, and does not endorse or approve, either implicitly or explicitly, the content of any third party sites that might be hyperlinked from this page. The information is not intended to replace manuals, instructions or information provided by a manufacturer or the advice of a qualified professional, or to affect coverage under any applicable insurance policy. These suggestions are not a complete list of every loss control measure. State Farm makes no guarantees of results from use of this information.
Start a Quote
Select a product to start a quote.
Agents Near You
Contact Us
844-373-0003

Also Important

Immediate Steps to Take if You Hit a Deer

Even if you're vigilant, auto-deer collisions can happen. Learn what to do next.

Summer Driving Tips

You're going to need to pack more than beach supplies for that summer road trip.

Related Articles

Drive Safely in Dense Fog

Learn how to drive in the fog with these tips. Driving safely in dense fog requires being vigilant, minimizing distractions and slowing down.

School Bus Safety

Safety tips for children and parents as they wait at the bus stop, cross the street, and enter/exit the bus. Plus tips for bus drivers as they transport the kids.

Safely Share the Road with Large Trucks

Driving next to a semi can be nerve-racking. Here's how to do it safely.