Slow Moving Vehicle triangle reflector sign used as driveway marker?

[KennyG]

Thankfully I've never seen one used as a stationary marker around here and I'd be concerned if I did. If I'm driving in a fog and suddenly see a SMV sign, I'm going to assume I'm rapidly approaching a slow moving vehicle 8 plus feet wide and I'm going to slam on the brakes or swerve.

 

[drdoolittle]

I got curious and started digging around the internet. Apparently there has been a rising occurrence of SMVs getting rear ended even with the signage and that is triggering the legislation. Most of the laws on the books seems to have been passed in the last 2-3 years as a result of this type of accident. No deaths in the events I was able to find, but there were injuries and of course equipment damage for the farmer/operator of the SMV. I'd say that even if not explicitly illegal in all states, the trend is that for public safety it soon will be.

 

[Rock knocker]

Still waiting for somebody to post up the actual law and not supposition.

 

[jmc]

This thread reminds me of the Simpson's episode where Homer's long lost half brother, who owns a car company, gives Homer carte blanche authority to design their next car model. Homer thinks that the antennae balls to help you find your car on a big lot are such a good idea that he says they should be on all cars.

 

[kco]

Still waiting for somebody to post up the actual law and not supposition.

I Googled it. Here is a link to the Ontario law:

Slow-Moving Vehicle Sign



The search also brought up a Wikipedia entry:

Slow moving vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I only post this for information and not to express an opinion on this thread.

 

[Mace Canute]

And why do you need to know that the vehicle is incapable of traveling faster than 25 mph... so you don't drive into it. Period. If driving into slow moving vehicles wasn't a problem, then there would be no need to have the signs. It's called root cause - the sign is not to just say "I'm moving slow", it's to say "I'm moving slow and you need to be aware and avoid hitting me".

The mailbox on the shoulder of the road is incapable of moving faster than 25 mph and should be avoided as well - if you want to split hairs on it. :2cents: :stirthepot:

As for the stop sign, it's not meant to indicate anything other than stop - which I guess would be OK if I wanted everyone to stop at my mailbox rather than just avoiding hitting it.

I will note, I don't use them myself on anything but my tractor, etc., and have regular round reflectors on either side of the culvert down by the road.

First you said "The signs are meant to indicate its attached to something your not supposed to drive into." and now you say "I'm moving slow and you need to be aware and avoid hitting me". That's not the same thing. Your first statement covers all slow moving vehicles/equipment and all stationary objects regardless of where they are and in the second it's slow moving vehicles/equipment. See the difference?

Your statement "As for the stop sign, it's not meant to indicate anything other than stop - which I guess would be OK if I wanted everyone to stop at my mailbox rather than just avoiding hitting it." acknowledges the point I was trying to make which is the slow moving vehicle sign is not designed to indicate anything other than it's on a slow moving vehicle/equipment which is incapable of moving faster then 25 mph. Somehow you seem to think you are free to pick and chose what signage is used for what.

 

[aczlan]

Still waiting for somebody to post up the actual law and not supposition.

NY law:

New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 375, subdivision 36, paragraph (c):
(c) The use of such emblem shall be in addition to any lighting devices, flags or other equipment required by law. Such emblem shall be used only on farm machinery and implements of husbandry on road construction and maintenance machinery, and on such other vehicles, machinery and equipment as may be specified in regulations issued by the commissioner. All use shall be in accordance with such regulations. Use of such emblem as a clearance marker or on stationary objects on the highways is prohibited.

Aaron Z

 

[Rock knocker]

NY law:


Aaron Z

Thanks

 

[Threepoint]

Rock knocker, FWIW, here's the code section in Virginia: https://vacode.org/46.2-1081/ See para. D.

I took a quick look for Washington State and didn't pop out a corresponding code section, but there might be one. It's still a state-specific limitation at this point, as far as I can tell.

 

[ruffdog]

more info:
National Ag Safety Database - Changes to the Use of the Slow Moving Vehicle Sign