Current through Rules and Regulations filed through December 18, 2024
Person's or Companies being used as certified pilot/vehicle escorts shall meet the minimum requirements in O.C.G.A. 32-6-28(a)(8).
Any driver operating a vehicle escorting an oversize/overweight load shall meet the training requirements and the certification program by the Department. This certification may provide for reciprocity with other states having a similar pre-approved vehicle escort certification program. Certification credentials for the driver of an escort vehicle shall be carried in the vehicle and be readily available for inspection by law enforcement personnel or an authorized employee of the Department.
(1) Equipment: An escort vehicle shall be an automobile or pickup truck and shall be equipped with a revolving or flashing amber warning light located on top of the vehicle. The operator shall have obtained a permit from the appropriate state agency for the use of the light as required by the provisions of Code Sections 40-8-92, 40-8-93 and 40-8-95, O.C.G.A. Escort vehicles and the vehicle transporting the permitted load will also be equipped with two-way communication, in good working order, so that the drivers will have constant communication with each other as well as communication with GDOT TMC Operators and enforcement personnel, if required, and any other escorts of the same load. The rear escort vehicle driver will advise the driver of the load and the front escort, when applicable, as to the traffic conditions behind the movement. When there are four or more vehicles behind the permitted load, the escort vehicles and the permitted load shall pull over and allow the traffic to pass.
(2) Signs:
(a) On all loads over legal width, or height, or length, a sign containing the wording "OVERSIZED LOAD" shall be mounted on the front of the escort vehicle (for a front escort) and to the rear of the escort vehicle (for a rear escort). The letters shall be black on an orange or yellow backboard and shall be at least eight (8) inches high and four (4) inches wide. The backboard shall be at least one (1) foot high and six (6) feet wide.
(3) When Required:
(a) As a condition of the issuance of a permit, the Department when it deems necessary in the interest of public safety in any case, may require the use of a front or rear escort, or both.
(b) It shall be an unlawful act punishable as a misdemeanor for any person to operate upon a public road of the State any equipment exempted from permit requirements by the provisions of Code Section 32-6-25, O.C.G.A., when such exempted equipment is wider than one lane of such public road and the operator of such exempted equipment has not provided both front and rear escorts thereof.
(c) Otherwise the following escort requirements shall apply:
1. LENGTH
(i) For any permitted load whose length exceeds 75' but is less than or equal to 100', a Rear Escort/Amber Light is required.
(ii) For any permitted load whose length exceeds 100' but is less than or equal to 125', a Vehicle Rear Escort is required.
(iii) For any permitted load whose length is greater than 125', a Vehicle Front and Vehicle Rear Escort is required.
2. HEIGHT
(i) For any permitted load whose height is fifteen feet six inches (15' 6") or greater, a Vehicle Front Escort with a Height Sensor is required unless the hauler has a valid trip approval ticket from NJUNS (National Joint Utilities Notification Service).
3. WIDTH
(i) For any permitted load whose width exceeds twelve feet (12') but is less than or equal to fourteen feet eight inches (14'8"), a Vehicle Front Escort and a Rear Escort/Amber Lights is required for travel on a two (2) lane road. A Vehicle Rear Escort only is required for the same permitted load to travel on a four (4) lane road. For travel upon a Limited Access Highway, a Rear Escort/Amber Lights only are required.
(ii) For any permitted load whose width exceeds fourteen feet eight inches (14'8") up to and including sixteen feet (16'), a Vehicle Front Escort and a Vehicle Rear Escort is required for movement upon a two (2) lane highway. A Vehicle Rear Escort only is required for movement of the same permitted load on a four (4) or more lane road or a Limited Access Highway.
(iii) For permitted loads whose width exceeds sixteen feet (16') wide or for loads not defined above, the Department shall determine escort requirements on a case by case basis and may require a vehicle Police Escort with operating blue lights displaying their jurisdiction.
O.C.G.A. Secs. 32-2-2, 32-6-28, 32-6-90, 50-13-4.
