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Rural Road Intersections

Rural intersections often have no signals, tall crops on the corners and fast cross traffic. Slow equipment needs extra margin there, and so do the people approaching it.

What makes rural intersections risky?

Many rural crossings are controlled only by signs, or by nothing at all. Corn, hedgerows, buildings, hills and parked vehicles can block the view, and drivers on the through road may be traveling at higher speeds than the posted sign suggests.

A slow tractor crossing or turning takes longer to clear an intersection than a car does. That extra time is exposure, and it is why the margin for error is small.

Extension safety articles on farm equipment on public roads, such as those from Penn State, discuss crash patterns and prevention in more detail.

• Blocked views from crops and hedges
• Higher speeds on through roads
• Longer clearing time for slow machines

How do you approach an intersection with farm equipment?

Slow down early and stop where you can see. Look both ways more than once, and look again before moving. Check mirrors for vehicles approaching from behind that might try to pass.

Do not trust that other drivers see you. If vision is blocked, creep forward in a controlled way, or consider whether an alternative route or a helper to watch traffic would be safer.

Teach the pause. A full stop and a deliberate look is often the difference. If you are towing a long implement, make sure the whole rig is clear of the road edge before you decide.

• Slow down well before the corner
• Look left, right and left again
• Check mirrors for vehicles behind
• Do not assume other drivers see you
• Choose another route if the view is poor

What about left turns?

Left turns are particularly hazardous, since vehicles behind may start to pass as you turn. Signal early, check mirrors again and, if possible, avoid turning left across traffic where visibility is limited.

Where it makes sense, a helper vehicle with flashing lights behind the equipment can warn drivers. Rules for such vehicles differ by state, so ask your highway patrol.

Think too about the time of day. Low sun at dawn and dusk can blind drivers on east-west roads, making it harder for them to see you at all.

How can the layout of your farm help?

Think about field entrances and farm lanes. Trimming brush and crops near corners can improve sight lines, and keeping farm driveways clear of parked equipment helps too. Where a field entrance sits just over a hill or around a curve, consider asking the county road office whether signs are warranted.

Ask neighbors about landowners who can cut back growth on their side of the road. Local officials may be able to help with problem corners.

Share information with the county about spots where near misses occur, and keep a short list of the intersections that give your crew the most trouble.

What can other drivers do?

Drivers on rural roads should slow down near field entrances and intersections during planting and harvest, expect equipment and give it room. Do not pass when a machine is signaling or at an intersection.

Share the message in your community. Many people are not familiar with how slowly and widely farm equipment moves, and a short conversation or a notice in a local newsletter can help.

• Slow down near field entrances
• Expect equipment during planting and harvest
• Do not pass at intersections
• Give wide loads room

How do you teach young drivers?

Young drivers and new workers need practice at intersections with someone riding along as a coach. Talk through each crossing and explain what you are looking at. Confirm youth work rules with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.

Encourage them to stop and ask if they are unsure. Respect for a hard crossing is a sign of good judgment.

Make a habit of praising good judgment, such as a driver who waited for traffic to clear or took a longer route.

• Ride along as a coach
• Talk through each crossing
• Encourage questions

Who should you contact about problem intersections?

If you know of an intersection with poor visibility or a history of close calls, contact the county road office, township or your state department of transportation. They may be able to add signs, trim vegetation or change markings.

If a crash happens, call 911, stay clear of the roadway and wait for responders.

• County road office
• Township road supervisor
• State department of transportation
• Local sheriff's office for enforcement concerns

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.