York County Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers of safety at rural intersections

​YORK – The York County Sheriff’s Department is reminding drivers in the rural areas of the county to exercise caution due to growing corn and visibility issues which come with this time of year.

“With the corn crop growing toward its mature height, it’s a good time to review some safety tips for traveling to rural areas this time of year. We’ve all seen drivers speed on country roads and come to soft stops at rural intersections or even blow through stop signs altogether. This behavior can be deadly with tall corn limiting visibility,” says York County Sheriff Paul Vrbka.
What are the best ways to stay safe?
* Slow down. Follow the speed limit. Where corn is high, reduce your speed.
* If you have a stop sign at an intersection, come to a complete stop.
* Even if you don’t have a stop sign, don’t assume others will stop. Slow down and make sure there is no cross traffic before proceeding into the intersection.
* Talk to young and inexperienced drivers. Inexperienced drivers may simply not know how much more dangerous it is to drive in the country with corn up.
* Although harvest season is not upon us yet, farmers may still be moving machinery around ahead of fall. Watch out for tractors and other heavy equipment on hills, curves and other areas where tall corn may limit visibility.
YSO Captain Josh Gillespie, YSO Lt. Alex Hildebrand, Sgt. Taylor Samek said they want to see everyone be safe, and simple precautions could make a world of difference.
​Captain Gillespie added, "York County recorded 92 reportable accidents in the first six months of 2025, a decrease from 103 accidents during the same period in 2024. We hope this positive trend of fewer accidents continues. An important factor in achieving this is staying vigilant, especially as the corn fields grow taller."