DISCUSS: Driving safety home

Sharing resources that will help farm­ers and ranchers keep safety top-of-mind through the Agricultural Safety Awareness Program (ASAP) is a priority of county and state Farm Bureau leaders across the na­tion. As part of ASAP, each year there is a week toward the end of February or begin­ning of March designated as Agricultural Safety Awareness Week. You may have seen a few recent Farm News articles on this very topic.

U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers joined Farm Bureau in pro­moting the 2021 Agricultural Safety Aware­ness week with the theme “Driving Safety Home.” During this week and throughout the year, Farm Bureau encourages farmers to make safety a priority on the farm.

The Agricultural Safety Awareness Pro­gram is a part of the Farm Bureau Health and Safety Network of professionals who share an interest in identifying and de­creasing safety and health risks. For more information and resources, visit the ASAP Facebook page, @AgSafety.

Visit the Centers’ YouTube channel, USagCenters, for new content and fresh ideas about how to stay safe while working in agriculture, forestry and fishing.

The 11 U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers are funded by the National Insti­tute for Occupational Safety and Health.

As we farmers begin planting this spring, the likelihood of farm vehicle crashes is likely to increase, and planting safely is imperative. Reminding motorists to be pa­tient with slower-moving farm machinery — and to only pass when it is safe to do so — is just as important as following safe driving rules, like not texting and driving.

As farm­ers, we must remember to mark our equip­ment with a slow-moving vehicle (SMV) emblem and outline our vehicles with reflective marking on the widest points. It’s also a good idea to drive with your equip­ment lights on, even in daytime.

SMV signs are used as a warning to approaching drivers letting them know that the displayed vehicle is traveling slower than normal speeds and to ap­proach with caution. In Michi­gan, SMV signs are required on every implement of hus­bandry, farm tractor, modified agricultural vehicle, special mobile equipment, or any vehicle that has a maximum speed of 25 miles per hour.

It is illegal to display the slow-moving emblem on permanent, stationary objects, such as mailbox posts, driveway entrances or fences in the right of way.

Unfortunately, this practice still goes on as residents routinely use these signs for alternative purposes, most commonly to mark driveways. In a short five-mile drive around my house I saw more than 10 misused SMV signs.

Not only is this illegal, but it can be dangerous and sends the wrong message to drivers, who may be desensitized and fail to slow down when the emblem is being used properly.

Topic suggested by Kirk’s County Farm Bureau of Livingston County.

Questions:

1. In most cases, residents are unaware that use of SMVs on permanent structures is prohibited. What can be done to help make individuals familiar of the law?
2. What can be done to encourage enforcement of the law?
3. Outside of enforcement, what can be done at the local level to reduce the use of SMV signs in a community? (Example: County Farm Bureau informational campaign offering to replace improper SMV emblems with other reflective signs.)

And/or submit one of the following via email:

• What local issues are on farmers’ minds in your area that should be addressed in the next five years?
• What other CAG discussion topics would you like to see in the coming months?
• Your Farm Bureau staff in Lansing are here for YOU! What specific questions do you have for them? What assistance can they provide?

Submit your responses by to:

• EMAIL: [email protected]
• MAIL TO: MFB Community Group Discussion Topic Responses, ATTN: Michelle Joseph, 7373 W. Saginaw Hwy., Lansing, MI 48917

Please include your name and CAG affiliation.