Section R17-6-305. Escort Vehicles

A.      Service requirement.

1.        A permittee transporting an oversize or overweight vehi- cle or load shall use all escort vehicles required by the Department as a condition of special permit issuance under this Chapter.

2.        The Department shall determine whether one or more escort vehicles must accompany an oversize or over- weight special permitted vehicle by considering the fol- lowing in relation to the proposed transport and route:

a.        Roadway  dynamics,  including  surface  condition, grade, width, and height limitations;

b.        Overall dimensions of the vehicle and load;

c.        Need for frequent stops;

d.        Concern for public safety; and

e.        Time of transport.

3.        According to the criteria applicable under subsection (A)(2), the Department shall require two or more oversize or overweight special permitted vehicles traveling together to be accompanied by at least one escort vehicle per load.

B.       Vehicle, operator, and equipment requirements.

1.        A vehicle qualifies as an escort vehicle if it:

a.        Is a passenger car or two-axle truck operating as a single unit,

b.        Is currently registered, and

c.        Meets insurance requirements as provided by law.

2.        An escort vehicle operator, except for a law enforcement

escort, while in service under this Chapter shall:

a.        Meet all requirements under A.R.S. § 28-1110, and maintain certification through a program that meets the escort vehicle operator training and certification standards of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alli- ance or an equivalent program, whether in this state or another state, that meets the same objectives;

b.        Carry in the escort vehicle the same emergency equipment required for a truck, truck tractor, or bus under A.R.S § 28-960 and 49 CFR 393.95, which shall include;

i.         Fire extinguishers;

ii.        Warning devices for stopped vehicles; and

iii.      Emergency staff-mounted warning flags;

c.        Display an “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign:

i.         Constructed  for  escort  vehicles  as  provided under R17-6-303, Illustration 2;

ii.        Mounted above the vehicle’s roofline and visi- ble to approaching traffic from the front and rear;

iii.      Accompanied by two flags, one mounted on each side of the oversize load sign; and

iv.      Concealed when not in use; and

d.        Ensure continuous communication by two-way radio:

i.         Capable of transmitting and receiving a mini- mum of 1/2 mile; and

ii.        Compatible with the two-way radios used by

C.      Operation.

the driver of the escorted vehicle, law enforce- ment escorts, and all other accompanying escort vehicles.

oversize or overweight special permitted vehicle may use any uniformed certified law enforcement escorts if at least one officer is certified for enforcement of the Federal Motor Car- rier Safety Regulations of the U.S. Department of Transporta-

1.        Lighting requirement. While in service, an escort vehicle operator shall maintain continuous illumination of head- lights and overhead warning lights as prescribed under

A.R.S. § 28-947.

2.        Lead and follow distance. An escort vehicle  operator shall maintain a lead or follow distance from an escorted vehicle that generally does not exceed 1,500 feet on an open state highway or 250 feet in an urban setting. When determining the appropriate lead or follow distance, an escort vehicle operator shall:

a.        Consider traffic density, road conditions, road type, speed, and type of load;

b.        Ensure constant radio communication with all escorts and the escorted vehicle; and

c.        Maintain visual contact with the escorted vehicle at all times.

3.        Stop provisions at an intersection with a traffic control signal.

a.        When an oversize or overweight special permitted vehicle is required to stop, the lead-escort vehicle operator shall proceed through the intersection and stop safely off the roadway. The lead-escort vehicle operator shall resume an appropriate lead distance as soon as is safely possible.

b.        When a following-escort vehicle is required to stop, the operator of an oversize or overweight special permitted vehicle shall proceed without stopping. The following-escort vehicle operator shall resume an appropriate following distance behind the over- size or overweight special permitted vehicle as soon as is safely possible after clearing an intersection.

Historical Note

New Section made by final rulemaking at 9 A.A.R. 665, effective April 8, 2003 (Supp. 03-1). Amended by final

rulemaking at 13 A.A.R. 866, effective March 6, 2007 (Supp. 07-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 19 A.A.R.

2486, effective September 7, 2013 (Supp. 13-3).