OT SMV Signs

The post below about how to spend $400 struck a nerve with me. Really burns me to see SMV signs used for driveway and gate markers. They are supposed to be used for slow moving vehicles only. I think the cops should be giving homeowners tickets for improper use in these situations. I've been tempted to stop and take the signs down, but I would probably be the one to get arrested. OK, I'm done now. Chris

I beleive it is a federal law that prohibits SMV signs to be used ONLY on vehicle's or implements that do not excede 25 mph. That may be moved to 30mph now. The use as a drive marker is against the law. Of course you have to have someone who knows the laws and then willing to uphold the laws. I would google the law and then send it to the land owner.

one could argue that a mail box is very slow slow moving vehicle that should be avoided by high speed traffic??


Then there are the reflectors that all commercial trucks must carry incase they break down.. the are a fold up triangle that is reflective but no center..

But I do agree the closed triangle was suppose to be reserveed for a slow moving vehicle in the roadway..

Strange that you say it is against the law, I sure can,t despute that but I know as a dealer
we gave the SMV s out at fairs and forestery
days and many of them showed up for driveway
markers. Fairly common in this area. Someone mentioned on here earlier today that the Federal
law now called for the improved beaded version
vs the old 3m refelective material. In the short time since then I have not been abel to verify that. All the dealers in my local town are still
using the slick 3m type with new sales today.

Yup,a dealer told a friend of mine,when they delivered his new tractor,that they have to reverse them when hauling a tractor so they aren't visable while traveling at road speed on the truck.
I believe Ohio tweeked their laws to account for these newer tractors with a road speed in excess of 25 MPH.

How about some construction equipment and/or ag equipment being pulled at 45-50 MPH with the SMV markers?

WHAT is real bad is when the tractor the State Highway Department, MODOT, does not know when the SMV sign is NOT mounted in the correct location. I have pictures of a tractor MODOT used to mow the sides of the highways that had the SMV sign mounted on the left rear corner of the cab. NOT on the center line of the machine as it should be.

Kent

I think everyone is missing the exact reason for the SMV signs. They are for vehicles, the laws are for vehicles and things moving. They are not specifically for the sign but what they are displayed on and the speed that item travels. The placement on a stationary object that is not a vehicle is NOT a violation. It also needs to be on a public road and not private property. Laws are directed towards the moving vehicle on public roads. If its not displayed on said item it does not constitute a violation. Show me a law in my state that shows a violation by sign placement on a stationary object off the roadway and I'll be happy to write it. Its like leaving a wagon on the edge of the field overnight. Stationary object on private property.

A slow moving vehicle sign is a reflective orange triangle bordered with red that warns other road users that the vehicle displaying the sign is traveling slower than the normal speed of traffic.

New usage of the SMV sign.

Prior to December 1996, only farm tractors and self propelled farm machines had to use the SMV sign. As of December 1, 1996, all vehicles that can not keep up a speed of more than 40 km/h, for example, horse-drawn carriages and road construction equipment, must display the SMV sign. If a slow moving vehicle is pulling another behind it then the SMV sign must hang on the rearmost vehicle of any combination of vehicles. It must be centered between 2 meters and 0.5 meters above the roadway.

Bicycles, mopeds and disabled vehicles being towed do not have to display the sign. Horse-drawn vehicles driven by people whose religious beliefs do not permit them to use the sign are also exempt. However, the back of the carriage must be outlined with reflective tape that is visible from at least 150 meters

The vehicle is slow moving, not the mailbox!

The SMV sign is for vehicles only. The use of a slow moving vehicle sign on a fixed object such as a roadside mailbox or as a driveway marker, is prohibited if it can be seen from the road. Slow moving vehicle signs attached to mailboxes or posts must be removed. Use reflectors or reflective tape instead. Municipalities can still post caution signs to warn motorists that slow moving vehicles often travel on their roads.

so its like every tom, dick, and harry that slaps yellow lights on their truck roof, and all the tow trucks that drive down the road with the flashers on, people eventually become immune to it, so when there is an emergency or reason for a warning light, no one pays attention. If your hauling a car down the road on a rollback and need the flashing lights on you should start thinking about chaining it down a little better, then you wouldn't have to warn people that your about to lose your load, via your warning light. Our rural mail delivery people now (many of them atleast) have these US mail light bars with slow flashing orange lights, they look like something from the 60's but i notice them more than most things.

Thats kinda like the highway road signs that have a 6X6 post and then drill a 2 inch hole in it so it will break off if hit. Then the banker builds a great big house and goes and puts up a 2ft by 2ft mailbox post out of bricks to match his house and its only 12 inches from the edge of the pavement.

In most states the tow truck or wrecker must display certain lights to show that they are towing. Even the rollbacks are required to display flashing yellow lligts when the have a vehicle aboard. It is not a random thing so dont get so excited.

I am aware of very few that require it, maybe I will look it up. Still even if it is required its not that brilliant.

c) The use of the SMV emblem shall be restricted to animal-drawn vehicles, and to the slow-moving vehicles specified in division (b) of this section operating or traveling within the limits of the highway. Its use on slow-moving vehicles being transported upon other types of vehicles or on any other type of vehicle or stationary object on the highway is prohibited.

This is probably found under traffic law. I don't see the entire statute to research, but this indicates use on vehicles of what it can and can't be displayed on.

Key word, "on the highway".