Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) signs are being distributed to Wisconsin farmers free of charge through an expanded partnership involving Marshfield Clinic Research Institute’s National Farm Medicine Center and AgrAbility of Wisconsin.
“This special partnership is providing SMV signs to some of Wisconsin’s most inspiring farmers — current and potential AgrAbility clients with physical disabilities,” said Jeff Kratochwill, Program Director-FARM & Vocational Services, Easter Seals Wisconsin Farm Program. “Since being involved in this project, we have been able to distribute the SMV signs to farmers throughout Wisconsin to assist with this very important issue and help avoid a preventable injury.”
If interested in learning more about AgrAbility of Wisconsin, or requesting a sign, please call (608) 262-9336 or visit agrability.bse.wisc.edu/contact-us.
“It’s great to see growing attention of agricultural safety on our public roadways and is especially rewarding to be able to collaborate with the AgrAbility of Wisconsin program in this way,” said Bryan Weichelt, SMV program lead and Farm Medicine research scientist.
The SMV program partnership also includes Rural Mutual Insurance Co., H&S Manufacturing and Nasonville Dairy.
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 agricultural 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.
For more information about lighting and marking recommendations and regulations for agricultural equipment in Wisconsin, visit www.uwmadison.box.com/v/LightingAndMarking2023.
