Truck driving past a field

Share the road with farm vehicles

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

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.

Find agents near
you or contact us

There’s one ready to offer personalized service to fit your specific needs.

Related articles

Driving in fog

It's never ideal to drive in dense or heavy fog. Here are tips for when you have to keep driving.

School bus safety tips

Whether it's back to school time or later during the school year, here are some tips about school bus safety rules for children, parents and school bus drivers.

Safely share the road with large trucks

Sharing the road with big trucks can be nerve-racking. Here are some safety tips to consider.

What to do when you hit a deer

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