Rules for moving extra-wide loads on roads

(a) Such loads of excessive width shall be moved or transported only during the hours between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.; except in certain rural areas, the issuing officer may, in such officer’s discretion, permit movements between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. where traffic may be diverted over an alternate route and where the flow of traffic will not be unduly impeded by such movement; provided such loads of less than 14 feet in width, exclusive of eaves or overhangs of 3 feet or less and having a clearance of 10 feet or more above the roadway, may be moved at any time, except during the hours between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and during the hours between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (b) The maximum speed of movement of such loads shall be 25 miles per hour. (c) When movements are permitted during daylight hours, such loads shall be marked at each corner by a red flag. An escort vehicle, displaying at least one red flag on each side at the front, shall precede such load. The flags herein referred to shall be not less than 16 inches square (256 square inches). (d) When movements are made at night, such load shall be escorted by at least two escort vehicles, one of which shall precede the load and one of which shall follow the load. Such escort vehicles shall be equipped with at least one oscillating amber light on the top of the cab, or one blinking amber light at least 6 inches in diameter in the front of the front escort vehicle and one blinking amber light in the rear of the rear escort vehicle. (e) The leading escort vehicle shall precede the load by not less than the distances shown on the following table. The speeds shown in the table represent the established speed limit for the street or highway on which the movement is taking place added to the speed at which the load is traveling. Combined Speed (MPH) Minimum Distance from Load to Leading Escort Vehicle Combined Speed (MPH) Minimum Distance from Load to Leading Escort Vehicle 30 200 35 240 40 280 45 320 50 350 55 420 60 480 65 540 70 600 (f) When movements are made at night, such loads shall be lighted by at least one string of incandescent lamps spaced at a maximum of 5 feet on center around the entire load. At least one lamp in the string shall be located at each corner of the load. All such lamps shall be located not less than 5 feet from the roadway surface. In addition thereto, at least one lamp shall be placed or located at each corner and at the lowest point of the load. All lamps located at the corners of the load shall be red in color and not less than 100 watts each; all others may be red, white, or amber in color and shall be not less than 50 watts each. Sufficient lanterns shall be provided of the colors specified for incandescent lamps to be used in the event of power failure or other similar emergency to ensure that the minimum lighting required by this traffic code is maintained at all times. (g) The vehicle or tractor carrying, transporting, or drawing such load at night shall be equipped with at least two flashing amber lights not less than 6 inches in diameter that shall be mounted on each side at the front of the vehicle or tractor, near the headlight but not in the same horizontal line therewith. (h) If trailers are used in carrying or transporting such load at night, the lighting of such trailers shall be as specified in § 15-19.5 (d). (i) On movements of loads that require the adjustment of overhead facilities, the contractor shall provide at least two experienced workers on top of the structure to lift wires and perform other work as required to ensure the safe passage of the load under overhead obstructions without damage to the wires or obstructions. Such workers shall be provided with safety gloves and all other safety devices required by the State safety code. (j) All military tactical movements shall be exempted from this section. (k) All agricultural equipment and implements of husbandry moved on public highways in the course of normal agricultural operations, and within the geographic area in which they are normally used, shall be exempted from this section. )