In Canada, 23 people died in farm tractor collisions between 1991 and 1995. These deaths, and others like them, are every farmer's concern.

Slow moving, often oversized, hard to see, and poorly lit farm vehicles are a reality on Canadian highways. These factors, along with speed perception problems, result in the high number of crashes with road travelling farm machinery. We can not change the speed or size of these vehicles nor the need for highway travel. What can be changed is the level of visibility.

For years, farmers have taken this visibility issue seriously. Most affix the required slow moving vehicle (SMV) sign to the back of their farm machinery. Others place reflective tape around the machinery for extra protection. Until now, safety conscious farmers had to rely on guess work and the advice of friends to decide how to mark their equipment for optimum safety protection. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) has changed all of this with the development of specific guidelines. Manitoba has adopted the CSA requirements as legislation and it is anticipated other provinces will soon follow their lead. In the Ensure Proper Placement section of this site the CSA guidelines are described and illustrated.

The issue of highway farm vehicle fatalities is now becoming more recognized among the Canadian population as it changes from every farmer's concern - to everyone's concern. It is the desire of 3M Canada that the information outlined in this site will raise awareness and reduce accidents.