Signs a must on slow vehicles

Published 12:00am Saturday, November 11, 2000
Comments

Question: It seems most of the farmers in my area do not use &uot;slow moving vehicle signs&uot; anymore. Could you please write an article about the signs and when they should be use just to ren-~ind everyone? Answer: Yes I can, and will. According the 1999 Minnesota Crash Facts booklet there were a couple of people injured (in 1999 in Minnesota) in crashes involving farm implements. Minnesota Statute 169.522 says in part that the following vehicles must display a slow moving vehicle sign. All animal drawn vehicles, implements of husbandry, and other machinery including road construction machinery, which is designed for operation at a speed of 30mph or less. Now there is an exemption for road construction machinery operated within a marked road construction area. Also, if a farm tractor is towing a unit and the slow moving vehicle sign on the back of the tractor is visible then one is not needed on the back of the towed unit. I know that farm implements are generally large and considered by many to be easy to see. But I feel that many drivers under estimate the true hazards when driving near or around farm machinery. That slow moving vehicle sign is to help warn the driver(s) of a potential hazard ahead. This is especially true at night. Now most of us rural Minnesotans are used to seeing farm machinery on the roads. But we have many non-rural drivers come through here. Some of our large city drivers may not be good at judging the speed of, or truly understand the potential hazards of driving around some of this equipment. The slow moving vehicle sign is there to help protect all of us. Don’t forget to check, and make sure it is clean and securely fastened. By the way, you were not the only one to complain about the lack of use of these signs. The Minnesota State Patrol encourages all vehicle occupants to use their seat belts correctly. And remember to keep objects away from those air bags so they have room to deploy. May your travels upon the highways always be safe. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws in Minnesota send your questions to Sgt. Andy Schmidt- Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205.

Comments

    Editor's Picks