SMV Emblem Is Fifty!

The slow moving vehicle emblem is fifty years old this year, which means most drivers recognize it - an orange triangle outlined in red. If they don’t, they shouldn’t be driving. The SMV emblem was designed by agriculture engineers and students back in 1963 at Ohio State University. As with all things of this type, numerous studies were done first to determine what shape, size, and color would be quickly and easily recognizable, and the orange triangle with red outlining won hands down. Of course the shape and color weren’t the only factors to consider in determining safety criteria. Researchers found that the SMV emblem needed to be visible to the rear of the vehicle, the triangle point needed to face upward, it needed to be centered on the vehicle at 2 to 10 feet above the ground, and securely fastened to the vehicle. All now placement requirements of the SMV emblem. The SMV emblem is required when moving "implements of husbandry" and farm machinery on public roadways. Strangely, misuse of the SMV emblem has been becoming more and more common, being found on fence posts, gates, and mailboxes. Just remember, if it’s stationary, it doesn’t need a slow moving vehicle emblem.