Transporting agricultural equipment on public roads can be a dangerous operation. Problems occur when vehicles traveling at higher speeds try to pass the tractor, or the farm operator pulls onto a soft shoulder to allow a car to pass. Equipment being towed behind a tractor or truck can also block vision and cause accidents. Moving this equipment at night or at dawn or dusk greatly increases the risks.

A farm operator’s best protection on public roads is the use of a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem. Early identification of a slow-moving vehicle by the motorist gives them an opportunity to avoid a collision. It helps to know how much time it actually takes to slow down or stop once you come upon a slow-moving vehicle.

For example, a car traveling at 50 miles per hour approaches a tractor traveling in the same direction on the road. The tractor is traveling at 20 miles per hour. Even if the car is still 400 feet behind the tractor, which is a sizeable following distance, the driver of the car has less than 10 seconds to react to avoid a collision with the tractor. In those 10 seconds, the motorist must recognize that a possibly dangerous situation exists, determine the speed at which the tractor is moving, then decide what action to take. The time required to brake the vehicle traveling at 50 miles per hour must also be figured into the driver’s 10-second response time. Under ideal road conditions, it would require at least one second (and about 55 feet of braking distance) to slow the vehicle to 20 miles per hour and avoid a rear-end collision with the tractor.

Without the early warning provided by the SMV emblem, the motorist may not have enough time to respond and avoid a collision in this situation.

The law states that every motor vehicle designed for operation at speeds not in excess of 25 miles per hour shall at all times be equipped with a slow-moving vehicle emblem mounted on the rear of the vehicle. If towing wagons or other equipment, the emblem on the tractor must be clearly visible, or another emblem must be displayed on the rear of the last implement.

Law also specifies the shape, color, and placement of the SMV emblem. The emblem is an equilateral triangle at least 14 inches high. It is coated with a fluorescent yellow-orange paint, with a border of a dark red retro-reflective. The fluorescent paint is visible during daylight and the reflective border shines when illuminated by headlights of an approaching vehicle.

The placement of the SMV emblem is critical. It is to be displayed in the rear and as close to the center of the vehicle or implement as possible. It must be mounted with the point up, at a right angle or perpendicular to the direction of travel so that motorists approaching from the rear can see it. The lower edge of the emblem must be at least 2 feet and not more than 6 feet above the ground.

Farm operators must also maintain the emblems used on their vehicles and equipment. Inspect emblems occasionally for fading from exposure to sunlight. SMV emblems that are faded or appear white must be replaced. It’s a good idea to keep extra emblems on hand. New emblems can be obtained from local equipment dealers or during various safety promotions.

Check SMV emblems before entering public roads. They can become covered with mud and debris, so a good cleaning may be necessary. Dirty emblems are not as effective as clean ones.

The use of SMV emblems is only one requirement for agricultural equipment used on public roads. Other state and local regulations may require proper lighting, special towing chains, reflectors, or specify other restrictions. An SMV emblem does not replace other safety requirements.

The display and maintenance of SMV emblems on slow-moving agricultural equipment is a simple and effective way to reduce considerable risks for farm operators. Become familiar with the regulations and take precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and other motorists.