(Camp Hill) – Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) praised the state General Assembly for passing legislation that will update the state vehicle code and resolve long-standing transportation problems experienced by farmers.

“The reasonable changes to the state vehicle code included in Senate Bill 390 and House Bills 2371 and 2372 will allow farmers to move modern pieces of equipment from field to field and field to farmstead. While newer equipment has enabled farmers to increase productivity, especially during the planting and harvest seasons, they are wider than vehicles typically used by farmers 30 years ago. We are now urging Governor Corbett to sign the legislation,” said PFB President Carl T. Shaffer.

The Senate bill would increase the width allowance of a farm implement of husbandry (such as a planter) up to 16 feet. H.B. 2371 would clarify the types of agriculture materials that can be transported by agribusiness vehicles under increased width allowances to include manure, while HB 2372 would increase the distance farm equipment and trucks that are used primarily around the home farm can travel from 25 miles to 50 miles and increase the distance a multi-purpose agriculture vehicle, such as a four-wheeler, can travel from two miles to five miles.

“The long overdue changes to the code regulating farm trucks are needed, because farmers are traveling longer distances to plant and harvest crops on farmland they own and rent. They also are required to travel longer distances to deliver agricultural products or to reach businesses that sell farming supplies,” added Shaffer.

Farm Bureau noted it strongly supports changes to the vehicle code included in the legislation that will require additional precautions by farmers under certain circumstances.

“Farmers are committed to maintaining safety on Pennsylvania roadways and welcome the opportunity to increase safety measures to further protect drivers and passengers in other vehicles by installing extra lighting or using pilot vehicles,” concluded Shaffer.