State laws permit trucks to carry “oversized loads,” or loads that exceed the height, width, and/or weight limits for commercial cargo transport, as long as the carrier follows special state-enforced rules. In general, a load is oversize if it exceeds 80,000 pounds gross weight, 20,000 pounds single axle weight, or 34,000 pounds tandem axle weight. If a truck exceeds these requirements, it must abide by the state’s oversized load rules to legally be on the road. These rules, in Virginia, are as follows:
Trucks up to 150 feet in length, 15’11” in width, and 15 feet high require routine overweight/oversize transport permits.
If the load is more than 105 feet in length on a two-lane road or 125 feet on a multiple-lane road, state law requires a rear escort vehicle to follow behind the truck. The law requires one front and one rear escort vehicle on shipments more than 11 feet wide on two-lane highways and 14 feet wide on multiple-lane highways.
Oversized loads more than 60 feet in length, 10 feet in width, and/or with overhang more than 10 feet must use warning banners or signs that state “Oversize Load,” “Wide Load,” or “Long Load” as appropriate. Signs must be at least 7 feet in length and 18 inches in height, with 1.5-inch black lines, yellow background, and a one-inch black border.
Trucks that require Oversize Load signs must also display one strobe light or flashing amber light on top of the cab of the truck, visible at 360 degrees from 500 feet away. A flashing or strobe amber light must also be on the uppermost rear area of the shipment.
Oversized load trucks must use red, yellow, or orange emergency flags at least 18 inches long or wide at all four corners of the shipment.
These rules aim to improve the safety of transporting oversized loads in Virginia. If a trucking company or cargo loader fails to adhere to these rules, it could cause a preventable accident, such as another driver failing to notice logs have significant overhang and crashing into the load. In this case, the party responsible for loading the truck could be guilty of negligence and liable for the victim’s damages. For additional information regarding Virginia law about oversized loads, speak with a Richmond truck accident attorney.