Moving prefabricated buildings, ships and boats, roof trusses, generators, and other oversized, overweight, or over-length objects and machines is a job requiring many logistics and analysis to ensure everything goes according to plan. Alternatively, driving near an oversized load on the interstate or highway can be a nerve-racking encounter, with some individuals concerned about safely maneuvering around these enormous loads, while still others might be impatient with getting stuck behind an oversized load. Staying safe around oversized loads is as simple as being cautious, courteous, and considerate.
What You Can Do
Generally, most oversized loads will drive on the far right and well below the speed limit, but traffic or road conditions won’t always allow for this. By being cautious, considerate, and courteous, you’ll be doing your part in staying safe around oversized loads on the interstate.
Cautious
Complacency while driving can be a real danger. Ensure that you use extra caution while driving near an oversized load on the interstate. In crowded conditions, you may have to drive close to an oversized load, and if so it’s important to remember what the driver sees. Also, remember the amount of time and distance it takes an oversized load carrier to stop is vastly slower and farther than your car or truck.
Considerate
Make sure you give any oversized loads plenty of room when safely and legally overtaking a super-heavy or overweight vehicles on the road. Because they can’t see them, paying attention to the “No Zones” will help ensure that you and the driver are safe.
Courteous
Ensure you maintain a safe distance from the back of an oversized load. Additionally remember that stopping distances are vastly farther than your car or truck, and act accordingly. If you do have to overtake an oversized load, ensure that the maneuver is not only safe and legal but also gives the truck driver plenty of room.
Oversized Load Pilot Cars
The first indication that an oversized load is near you is sighting an oversized load pilot car. The driver of the flag car, also called an escort car, generally drives in front and in back of an oversized load. However, I’m sure you may have seen a flag car that is nowhere near an oversized load. The pilot car has two functions, to warn drivers that a wide or oversized load is nearby and to also keep the truck drivers aware of road conditions near the vehicle. When you see these vehicles, it’s recommended that you be prepared to slow down, move over, or even stop in some (but rare) instances.
Laws on Oversized Loads that Keep You Safe
As you may have guessed, the Department of Transportation (DOT) in each state, as well as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), govern and enforce transporting cargo safety. These hardworking individuals, as a portion of their duties, help ensure the safety of the public while driving. Among those rules and regulations outlined under Commercial Driving laws are:
- Legal Weight Limits
- Curfews for using the interstate
- Pre-Trip Inspections
- Ensuring Cargo is Properly Secured
- Re-checking that Cargo is Secure every 150 miles
- Weight Compliance Checks
Global Transportation Company
Staying safe with heavy haul transportation requires the proper permit and the training that comes with experience. We at Roane Transportation have a superb track record of shipping large equipment and machines to meet the shipping and transportation demands of today. Contact us at 865-354-3288 or online HERE for complete logistic support during your next freight transfer.