OPERATOR PRESENCE SYSTEM

A vehicle (5) equipped with an operator presence detector (20) comprises an optional first detector (25) located and configured to detect an object positioned over a threshold (55) to the operator compartment (10); a second detector (30) located and configured to detect an operator's (15) left lower extremity (60,62) when the left lower extremity (60,62) is located in the operator compartment (10); and a third detector (35) located and configured to detect an operator's (15) right lower extremity (65,70) when the right lower extremity (65,70) is located in the operator compartment (10). The second detector (30) and the third detector (35) are positioned such that an operator (15) cannot use the left lower extremity (60,62) to trigger both the second detector (30) and the third detector (35) and an operator (15) cannot use the right lower extremity (65,70) to trigger both the second detector (30) and the third detector (35).