A deadly hayride crash in Maine has brought to light that the popular activity is usually not regulated, including in Pennsylvania. But, operators say safety measures are in place to keep you safe.
“It didn’t get hooked to a tractor in Maine, it got hooked to a vehicle. We don’t know the circumstances, but that right there is a red flag,” said Jack Coleman, owner of Cherry Crest Farm.
Guidelines
In Pennsylvania, although not regulated, there are comprehensive guidelines in place on how hayrides should be operated. Coleman helped come up with those guidelines. "You have to have a tractor of a certain size, it should be heavier than your gross weight of your wagon," said Coleman. "There's numerous guidelines. The people of Pennsylvania should feel very secure."
"The problem with more regulations, and not that I am against more regulations, but normally the people who make regulations aren’t the people who are in the business. So you may get something that is totally off the wall and then everybody has to deal with that," said Coleman.
"My philosophy is we don't just hook something to a wagon and put people on it," said Jim Stauffer, who owns Country Barn Market in Lancaster County. Stauffer thinks Pennsylvania does enough to keep people safe but isn't opposed to regulations. "If it takes the state to come out with regulations for all of us to follow, I have no problem with that because I feel we’re front-runners as far as what safety regulations should be," said Stauffer.
Tips
Both operators provided things to look out for to keep you safe.
"If you arrive to an operation that looks like it's rundown, and they are hooking a wagon up to a pickup, a 4-wheeler, something other than a tractor, or even if it's a very small tractor, do not be afraid to ask questions," said Stauffer.
"Pathways that the wagon goes on, they should be nice stone pathways, not a rough bouncy field. It's not an amusement ride," said Coleman.
