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farm/ranch

Farm machinery on roadways

Each year, increasing numbers of accidents occur involving the transportation of farm machinery on roadways. Factors that increase the likelihood of accidents include:

• An annual increase in motor vehicle traffic.
• More city dwellers moving into agricultural areas. These drivers may be unaware of the need to approach farm equipment with extra caution.
• Farms getting larger, causing operators to travel greater distances on roadways between fields.
• Larger equipment extending beyond the tractor and into the opposite lane of traffic.

While there may be little you can about some circumstances, you do have the ability to control certain factors. Most accidents occur when the motor vehicle driver strikes the rear of a farm implement. The driver simply may not see it in time or fails to realize its size and/or the speed of the machinery. Lack of visibility is a major cause. Make sure your equipment has a clearly visible slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem, illuminated with reflective material.

To make sure the motoring public sees your farm machinery:

• Keep SMV emblems clean and free of dirt. Replace damaged/faded SMV emblems immediately.
• Place reflective material on the extremities of wide machinery to make large and oversize equipment more clearly visible at night. To increase daytime visibility, apply fluorescent strips and markings.
• Install flashing amber lights to act as an early warning for motorists. Amber colored strobe lights and beacons can also be used.
• Consider installing turn signals and taillights. A large number of accidents occur because the motor vehicle driver didn’t realize the farm machinery operator was making a turn.
• Keep all lighting in proper working order. Take the time to check machinery lighting before taking it on the road.

Remember that visibility and identification are two key items. Several companies offer lighting and marking kits specifically designed for farm machinery. A small investment in lights and reflective material on your machinery could prevent a million-dollar claim.

Finally, always be sure to check local laws and regulations.