Sheriff Maciol urges caution near slow-moving farm vehicles

ONEIDA COUNTY, N.Y. » Sheriff Robert Maciol held an on-the-farm press conference recently to urge motorists to watch for slow-moving agriculture vehicles and to remind farmers of their responsibilities when operating farm equipment on the public roads.

“This time of year, we are now beginning to see farm vehicles and equipment on the roads and motorists need to be ready to respond appropriately. These vehicles are extremely important to Oneida County’s agriculture community, which is our county’s largest industry,” Maciol said in a news release. Motor Vehicle Safety When motorists encounter a slow-moving vehicle on the roadway they should:

• Slow down immediately

• Increase following distance to create a safety cushion

• Be alert and watch for unexpected turns

• Pass with care only when it is safe and legal to do so

• Be aware that animalpowered vehicles may make unanticipated movements

• Be aware that equipment in tow may sway on the road

• Remember slow-moving vehicle operators may have poor visibility due to loads and equipment in tow Farm Vehicle Safety Operators of the farm tractors and equipment should be aware that the slow-moving vehicle triangle should be placed in the center of the back end of the vehicle, located two to six feet above the road and kept clean and replaced when faded. Each piece of agricultural equipment, whether self-propelled or used in combination, must separately display the required emblems. It is illegal to put slow-moving vehicle emblems on stationary objects such as mailboxes or driveway posts.

Under state law, self-propelled agricultural equipment can be used on public roads after dark and when visibility is less than 1,000 feet when it has two white head lamps, one red tail light on the rear as far left as possible and two amber lamps at least 42 inches high and visible from the front and rear.

Vehicles drawn by animals (horse and buggy) must display, on the rear, either a slow-moving vehicle triangle or a lighted lantern with a red lens at least four inches in diameter. The center of the lens should be 42 inches above the ground and the lantern near the left edge of the vehicle. The vehicle also should have 72 square inches of a highquality white or whitishgray reflective tape.

Brady Farms in Clinton, where four generations of the Brady family were present, hosted the event. Oneida County Farm Bureau President John Collins, Marilynn Collins from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County, and local Oneida County Farmer & Farm Bureau Member Ben Simons also attended.

PHOTO PROVIDED Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol held an on-the-farm press conference May 3to urge motorists to watch for slowmoving agriculture vehicles and to remind farmers of their responsibilities when operating farm equipment on the public roads.