Now that spring has arrived, another familiar sight will be seen on the rural highways of Western New York. Tractors, hay wagons and other slow-moving vehicles will once again be sharing our roads. The Farm Bureau would like to remind area drivers to watch for these vehicles.

One way to identify them at a distance is the familiar fluorescent triangular emblems prominently displayed on these vehicles. In fact, these SMV emblems are legally restricted to such vehicles.

It is discouraging to see SMV emblems used as driveway and mailbox markers. We encourage area residents to take down these SMV emblems and leave them to the slow-moving vehicles to which they are legally bound. The Department of Transportation has a law restricting use of these signs, and misuse can result in a fine.

Their effectiveness is lost when they are used as markers for things not intended.

No one wants a summer farm tragedy; please watch for these highly visible triangular warning signs.

Bryant Zilke,

president, Erie County Farm Bureau Inc.