In 2019, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) granted an exemption to car haulers using stinger-steered transporter equipment, relieving them from the obligation to affix warning flags on overhanging loads. Recently, the agency disclosed its intention to extend this exemption.
“FMCSA announces its decision to provisionally renew an exemption requested jointly by the Automobile Carriers Conference of the American Trucking Associations and the Auto Haulers Association of America to relieve motor carriers operating stinger-steered automobile transporter equipment from the requirement to place warning flags on projecting loads of new and used motor vehicles,” the agency wrote.
Existing regulations stipulate that commercial motor vehicles transporting loads extending over 4 feet beyond the rear must display a single red or orange fluorescent warning flag at the extreme rear if the projecting load is 2 feet wide or less. For loads wider than 2 feet, two warning flags are required.
Initially sanctioned for five years, the exemption is up for renewal, with proponents emphasizing a lack of safety incidents attributable to the exemption. FMCSA has granted a provisional renewal for six months, subject to certain conditions.
“FMCSA is not aware of any evidence indicating that providing relief to motor carriers operating stinger-steered automobile transporter equipment from the requirement to place warning flags on projecting loads of new and used motor vehicles in accordance with the conditions of the original exemption have resulted in any degradation of safety,” the agency wrote.
Notably, the exemption is exclusive to stinger-steered transporter equipment, and it does not extend to other transporter types or various projecting or oversized loads. Motor carriers benefiting from the exemption must promptly report any rear-end crashes involving the stinger-steered auto transporter equipment within seven business days.
Vehicles overhanging from the transporter must still adhere to all other lighting and reflective device requirements mandated by existing regulations. Furthermore, motor carriers and commercial motor vehicles operating under this exemption must comply with all other applicable regulations, unless expressly exempted from specific requirements.
FMCSA is now inviting public commentary on the proposal before making a decision on a further five-year extension. Interested parties can submit comments until March 22 through the FMCSA website by clicking here.
Source: Land Line
