The guidebook reflects the new Lighting and Marking Regulations for road transport of farm equipment, which came into effect in Manitoba on July 1, 1998. Interest in the new law and how it can make travel safer for both farmers and motorists has since taken off, particularly with American NIFS conference delegates. Enhancing visibility of farm machinery on roads is voluntary in most states and provinces, and the guidelines can be fuzzy. For instance, the farm equipment standard calls for red reflectors on the back of equipment, and amber reflectors on the front and sides.
Similar standards exist for lighting.
These rules are different from the rules used in the automotive and trucking industry. Some equipment operators have begun to confuse the different sets of rules, creating identification confusion for motorists confronted with farm machinery on the road, especially at night. It doesn't matter where you farm - we want to help equipment operators enhance safety for themselves and motorists, and we want to help farmers protect the investment they have in expensive farm machinery.