On May 2, Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol, joined by numerous agriculture officials, held an in-the-field press conference, sponsored by Clinton Tractor, 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.
Upstate New York’s Oneida County’s “Share the Road” initiative was also discussed. The event took place on NYS Route 12B in Clinton.
In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, those in attendance included Mary Beth McEwen, executive director of CCE Oneida; Maryellen Baldwin, CCE farm business manager; Marilynn Collins, CCE dairy & livestock educator; and Ben Simons, Oneida County Farm Bureau representative and local farmer.
“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,” said Sheriff Robert Maciol.
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. added, “As our farmers take to the roads with their vehicles and equipment this time of year, we must be aware of their presence to ensure everyone’s safety. Please use caution when traveling near county farmland so we can all ‘Share the Road’ together.”
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 animal-powered 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
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 ag 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 New York 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 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, with the center of the lens to be 42 inches above the ground and 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.
