'Tis the season for agricultures. Warm, sunny spring days bring increased farm activity, and that means drivers need to be alert for slow-moving agricultural machinery on the roads throughout the planting, growing and harvesting seasons.

Farmers often need to transfer equipment and supplies from one field to another, requiring them to travel for short distances on highways.

A slow-moving vehicle, or 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 an SMV than you do coming upon a vehicle moving at a similar rate of speed.

To compound the hazard, the operator of an SMV often has poor visibility. Ensilage wagons, produce wagons, wagons loaded with hay and large round balers are all examples of towed equipment that blocks an operator's view to the rear.

SMVs make turns slowly, so approaching traffic from the opposite direction also should be prepared to slow down or stop. Because of their large size, agricultural machinery might 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 also might want to make an effort to use a tail escort whenever possible. Normally, the escort vehicle would travel behind the SMV with its flashers on to warn other motorists of the 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 often are misused as markers for telephone poles, mailboxes, buildings and driveway entrances, so the symbol loses its meaning. Often, faded emblems on machinery are not replaced.

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

Input sought

U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, D-3rd, will host a meeting to gather agricultural stakeholder input at 8 p.m. April 19 at the Ambassador Hotel Marriot, 7792 Peach St., Erie. Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, also will be in attendance.

For additional information on the roundtable discussion or to provide input, contact Simone Baer at 814-392-5190.

The intent of the discussion is to gather opinions on the nation's agricultural issues and does not constitute support for a particular political view of either official.

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.