Arlene Gourley of Scio doesn't know if anyone will drive differently now that Gov. Ted Kulongoski has signed a law meant to better protect operators of tractors and other farm equipment.

But if the law prompts even one person to avoid a crash, she's all for it.

House Bill 2554 expands the definition of "vulnerable user of public way" to include any farm tractor or other farming implement. Motorists will face increased penalties for reckless driving around such equipment.

Kulongoski signed the bill on June 17 and is planning a formal signing ceremony sometime after the July 4 holiday. The Oregon Trucking Association and Oregon Farm Bureau both supported the bill.

"Nathan's Law" was named for 16-year-old Nathan Gourley of Scio, who died July 28, 2008, when the hay stacker he was driving was struck by a log truck on Richardson Gap Road.

The law builds on the provisions of a 2007 law that had affected only tractors without cabs.

Arlene Gourley, Nathan's mother, said it's nice to see a law that promotes and respects the farming industry.

"It's common sense. It's unfortunate we have to have a law on common sense," she said.

However, she added, sometimes a new law can spark greater public awareness through saturation patrols and media coverage.

Rep. Sherrie Sprenger, R-Scio, was the co-chief sponsor of the legislation.

"Nathan's Law epitomizes what I was elected to do," she said. "I took the needs of my constituents to Salem, we wrote common-sense legislation together and hopefully we've moved in the direction of making our roads safer for our agricultural community."