The overhanging loads in the car can be a hazard factor for themselves and other motorists. It is precisely for this reason that the Highway Code has chosen to regulate this issue with particular attention, providing for particularly stringent rules.
Let’s try to understand what the art. 164 of the Highway Code, entitled “Arrangement of the load on vehicles”, and what are the penalties for violating the law.
How to arrange loads in the car
The first thing that needs to be clarified is that the load in the car must be arranged in such a way as to:
- avoid the fall or dispersion of the same;
- do not diminish the driver’s visibility nor prevent him from driving freedom of movement;
- not to compromise the stability of the vehicle;
- do not mask lighting and visual signaling devices or identification plates and signs made with the arm.
That said, the Code also provides that the load must not exceed the shape limits and therefore cannot protrude longitudinally from the front of the vehicle or protrude longitudinally from the rear, if made up of indivisible things, up to 3/10 of the length of the vehicle. vehicle itself.
As regards the lateral spaces, paragraph 3 of art. 164 CdS estimates that things that protrude laterally outside the vehicle outline can be transported as long as the projection on each side does not exceed 30 cm from the front and rear position lamps. “Poles, bars, slabs or similar loads that are difficult to perceive, placed horizontally, cannot in any case protrude laterally beyond the vehicle’s own shape” – declares the Code, to then recall how “the mobile accessories must not protrude in oscillations outside the shape own vehicle and must not crawl on the ground “.
The prohibitions
In addition to the above rules, the Highway Code provides that it is forbidden to carry or tow things that crawl on the ground, even if partially supported by wheels.
Furthermore, in the event that the load protrudes beyond the vehicle’s own shape, the driver must take all appropriate precautions to avoid danger to other road users. “In any case, the longitudinal protrusion must be indicated by means of one or two special quadrangular panels, covered with retro-reflective material, placed at the ends of the protrusion so as to be constantly normal to the vehicle axis” – declares paragraph 6 of the standard, which underlines how the panel must conform to the approved model and report the details of the approval.
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The sanctions
Finally, let us briefly deal with the penalties provided for by the Highway Code for the violation of the above provisions.
In fact, paragraph 8 of the article recalls that “anyone who violates the provisions of the previous paragraphs is subject to the administrative sanction of payment of a sum from 84 to 335 euros”. Not only that: the vehicle cannot continue the journey if the driver has not arranged the load in the manner established by the Highway Code.
It follows that, in the case of a car or more generally a motor vehicle, the investigating body, in addition to the application of the aforementioned sanction, will be able to immediately withdraw the registration certificate and the driving license. drives, making sure that the vehicle is taken to a suitable place for such accommodation; the withdrawal is mentioned in the notification of the violation.
The documents are returned to the motorist only if the load has been placed in compliance with the rules of the Highway Code.
More information can be obtained on the websites of the traffic police authorities and on the website of the ACI.
