Sheriff urges motorists to watch for SMVs as farm crop season gets underway

Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, joined by numerous agriculture officials, hosted the sheriff’s 16th annual on-the-farm press conference to urge motorists to watch for slow-moving vehicles (SMVs) and to remind farmers of their responsibilities when operating farm equipment on the public roads. Oneida County’s “Share the Road” initiative was also discussed. The event was hosted at the Brady Farms located on Roberts Road in Clinton. In addition to the Sheriff’s Office members, those in attendance included Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr., New York Farm Bureau Region 5 Director of County Relations John Wagner, Oneida County Farm Bureau representatives, Executive Director of CCE Oneida Mary Beth McEwen and her staff members and farmer Ben Simons, local ag advocate. “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. “We have also partnered with NY FarmNet to expand our Sharing the Road Initiative and farm safety to include farm and farmer wellness in an effort assist families with various issues they may deal with personally.” “Spring planting and fieldwork bring added pressure, long hours and heightened stress for many farm families. At NY FarmNet, we know that farmer health and safety must include mental health and wellness. Supporting the people behind our farms means recognizing the emotional strain that can come with the season, reducing stigma around asking for help and making sure farmers and their families know they are not alone,” said Adam Howell, outreach director for NY FarmNet. “A strong agricultural community depends not only on safe roads and safe equipment, but on making sure those who feed our communities have the support they need to stay well.” “Cornell Cooperative Extension is pleased to partner with the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office annually to promote and support the Share the Road campaign. When spring arrives, tractors and other agricultural vehicles become more prevalent on our local roads. These vehicles are often oversized, slower moving and make wider turns. It’s important for everyone’s safety to remain patient and exercise caution when encountering tractors and agricultural vehicles.  Everyone wants to make it safely to and from their destination so please smile, wave and Share the Road,” added McEwen. When motorists encounter a SMV 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 animal-powered vehicles may make unanticipated movements Be aware that equipment in tow may sway on the road Remember SMV operators may have poor visibility due to loads and equipment in tow Operators of the farm tractors and equipment should be aware that the SMV 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 ag equipment, whether self-propelled or used in combination, must separately display the required emblems. It is illegal to put SMV 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 headlamps, one red taillight 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 SMV triangle or a lighted lantern with a red lens at least four inches in diameter, with the center of the lens to be 42 inches above the ground, the lantern to be near the left edge of the vehicle. The vehicle also should have 72 square inches of a high quality white or whitish-gray reflective tape.