Sex differences in principal farm operators' tractor driving safety beliefs and behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the widely accepted hypothesis that farm women are more concerned with safety issues and behaviors than their male counterparts are. METHODS: A telephone survey was administered to a random sample of Kentucky principal farm operators, 90 of whom were women. Participants were questioned about their tractor safety beliefs and practices. RESULTS: No significant sex differences in tractor safety perceptions and behavior were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Socialization of women to the role of principal farm operator may override their typically greater sensitivity to safety issues, an important consideration when designing safety campaigns for this population.