Tis’ the season — for harvest that is. Increased farm activity as producers harvest their crops means that drivers need to be alert for slow-moving agricultural machinery on the roads. As is often the case in Butler County, farmers need to transfer equipment and supplies from one field to another, requiring them to travel for short distances on public highways.

A slow-moving vehicle (SMV) is an implement of husbandry designed for and traveling at less than 25 mph. This includes tractors, towed machinery, and in some rural areas of Western Pennsylvania, horse-drawn Amish buggies.

The difference in speed between regular highway traffic moving at 55 mph and agricultural equipment moving at less than 25 mph means an accident is just waiting to happen if drivers are not alert. You have less time and distance to react as you come upon a slow-moving vehicle than you do coming upon a vehicle moving at a similar rate of speed.

To compound the hazard, the operator of a SMV often has poor visibility. Ensilage wagons, combines and grain wagons are all examples of towed equipment that blocks an operator’s view to the rear.

Slow-moving vehicles make turns slowly, so approaching traffic from the opposite direction should also be prepared to slow down or stop until the turn is completed.

Because of their large size, agricultural machinery may require two lanes to make a turn. If you’re driving behind slow-moving agricultural equipment, maintain ample distance and pass only when it is legal and safe.

In addition to properly using the SMV emblem on all farm machinery traveling public roads at speeds less than 25 mph, operators may also want to make an effort to use a tail escort when possible. Normally the escort vehicle would travel behind the SMV with its flashers on to warn the other motorists of the large and slow-moving equipment on the road ahead. While inconvenient, it is not as inconvenient as an accident.

The SMV emblem was developed in the 1960s to uniquely identify slow-moving agricultural equipment on the road. The fluorescent orange triangle bordered by a dark red, highly reflective, beaded material was designed to be visible from 600 feet away when properly mounted on the rear of a SMV or towed machinery. When you see this emblem it means “slow down.”

Unfortunately, the SMV emblem is not as effective as it once was. Emblems are often seen misused as markers for telephone poles, mailboxes, buildings and driveway entrances, so the symbol loses its meaning. Often, faded or broken emblems on machinery are not replaced.

To help prevent highway tragedies, automobile drivers and agricultural equipment operators need to cooperate and communicate about their intentions. We all share the road.

This material is submitted by Donna Zang, extension director, and the staff of the Penn State Extension office at the Sunnyview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center complex.