Missouri State Highway Patrol — Public Information and Education Division
Agricultural Safety in Missouri
Missouri has a proud agricultural tradition. The importance of farming to Missouri and its citizens makes farm safety a priority. The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigates numerous traffic crashes each year involving farm tractors and similar machinery.
A SAFE farmer is a SUCCESSFUL farmer.
Recreational Vehicle
Section 304.033 RSMo. allows recreational off-highway vehicles to be operated on the highways for agricultural purposes. The operator must possess a valid license and wear a seat belt. The vehicle must display a lighted headlamp and lit tail lamp, and be equipped with a roll bar or roll cage.
All-Terrain Vehicle
ATVs can be operated on highways for agricultural purposes between official sunrise and sunset.
• Have a valid operator's or chauffeur's license
• Operate at speeds of less than 30 mph
• Display a bicycle safety flag extending not less than seven feet above the ground
• Operators under 18 must wear a safety helmet
• Do not operate while under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance
Driving on a Highway
• Display a red flag atop a pole (10-14 feet high) for visibility
• When rounding curves, drive as far to the right as possible
• Take special precautions during morning and evening hours
• When traffic lines up behind farm equipment, pull off or let traffic pass
• Never take a safe railroad crossing for granted
Turning Off the Highway
Signal your intentions by hand signals, electric signals, or both. Signals should be given far enough in advance for other drivers to react.
Hand Signals:
• Left Turn: Extend left arm straight out to the left
• Right Turn: Extend left arm out and bend upward at the elbow
• Slow or Stop: Extend left arm out and bend downward at the elbow
Missouri Law Requirements
Lights: Agricultural implements must be equipped with at least one white light visible from 500 feet to the front and a red light visible from 500 feet to the rear during times when lighted lamps are required.
SMV Emblem: Any slow-moving vehicle operated at speeds less than 25 mph must display a fluorescent yellowish-orange equilateral triangle bordered with reflective red stripes on the rear.
Contact
Public Information and Education Division
Missouri State Highway Patrol
1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 751-3313
Website: www.statepatrol.dps.mo.gov
Email: mshppied@mshp.dps.mo.gov