ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions and shares tips about the rules of the road, helping Central Florida residents become better drivers by being better educated.
A News 6 viewer asked, “Do you have to flag items sticking out of your vehicle?”
He said whenever a driver is transporting any type of oversized load, there are a few things to be cautious about.
“Obviously, we need to make sure that our vehicle is equipped properly to transport what we are trying to move. Large amounts of lumber, for example, a Toyota Corolla, would not work. You also want to make sure that your material that you are transporting is properly secured. Is it tied down properly? Does it move around? Will I lose any of my material while driving down the road?”
A key thing to be aware of is a 4-foot limit. If whatever you were carrying extends from the rear of your vehicle from 4 feet or more, then there are some steps that you’re going to need to take.
Florida Statute 316.228 states that whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear 4 feet or more beyond the bed or body of such vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end of the load, at the times specified, two red lamps visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the rear, two red reflectors visible at night from all distances within 600 feet to 100 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of headlamps and located so as to indicate maximum with, and on each side, one red lamp visible from a distance of at least 500 feet.
For less restricted vehicles, there is a flagging option. There shall be displayed at all other times on any vehicle having a load that exceeds the 4-foot barrier, red flags, not less than 18 in square, marking the extremities of such load, at each point where a lamp would otherwise be required by this section.
“A lot of very official wording to simply say if you’re the person transporting something to your residence in an average consumer type vehicle and the material is exceeding 4 feet or more from the back of your car, you need to place a bright colored, red or orange flag on it,” Trooper Steve said.
If you have a question for Trooper Steve, submit it here.
For more Ask Trooper Steve content, click or tap here.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: