NC Farm Bureau Partners With NC Department of Transportation And NC State Highway Patrol On New Tractor Safety Billboard Campaign

RALEIGH, N.C., April 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- NC Farm Bureau, NC Department of Transportation and NC State Highway Patrol launched a new tractor safety billboard campaign last week that urges motorists to slow down if they encounter a tractor on the road. The campaign highlights NC Department of Transportation's implementation of a new farm machinery warning sign depicting a modern tractor that better represents today's agriculture.

"Throughout the year and across the state, our farmers will plant and harvest crops that will feed families in both urban and rural areas. Whether they're traveling a mile on highway 264 in the morning or crossing highway 70 in the afternoon, farmers will inevitably have to share the highway with motorists. As the state's largest non-profit farm organization, we ask that if you see a tractor, slow down and share the road with farmers. Besides, it's their lives and their livelihood," said Larry Wooten, President of North Carolina Farm Bureau.

"This campaign is a reminder that our highway system is vital to our way of life. We use our roads for many things, including traveling to work, to play, and to live our lives. The men and women who grow and produce our food depend on these same roads. It is important to our families as well as the farmers and their families to pay special attention around these vehicles. This campaign helps remind us all to share the road with our farmers," said Kevin Lacy, NCDOT State Traffic Engineer.

"Agriculture plays a vital role in North Carolina's history, identity and economy. Safety is essential to both drivers and farmers sharing the road – especially on rural highways," said Colonel Bill Grey, Commander of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. "The Highway Patrol encourages everyone traveling in and near farming communities to stay alert for slow moving farm equipment. Be patient when you come up behind a tractor or other farm machinery and wait to pass until you have a clear view of the road ahead. Last year, there were a total of 146 traffic crashes involving farm equipment resulting in one death and 31 injuries. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe driving environment for all motorists who share North Carolina highways."

Wooten added, "We understand that most motorists rarely encounter farm equipment, but when you do it's important that you drive carefully and patiently. It's important for farmers and the millions of motorists who travel our roads and highways. As North Carolina continues to grow into rural areas, it is important that we do our part to make the public aware that it is vital to share the road in a careful and responsible manner with our farmers."

This campaign is funded by NC Farm Bureau. No NC Taxpayer funds were used to design or purchase billboards for the campaign. A map of billboard locations is available upon request. For more information on safe driving around farm equipment, please consult NC DMV Driver's Handbook (p. 45) at http://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/handbooks_ncdl_english.pdf.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150409/197626

SOURCE North Carolina Farm Bureau

Related Links

http://www.ncfb.org