Rene Hidding: New rules for projecting loads to improve safety for all road users

Tasmanians driving light vehicles with long or wide loads should be aware of changes to road rules that will come into effect from July 1.

The changes have been developed to help motorists carry projecting loads safely and legally, for their protection and in the interests of all road users.

For many years, drivers of light vehicles with long loads (projecting more than 1.2 metres from the back) have had to put a flag on the end of the load. The flag had to be red, but could be any size.

From July 1, this Tuesday, the flag must now be at least 30cm square and must be bright red, bright yellow or a combination of the two. At night, drivers must display a red warning light that is visible from at least 200 metres away.

While the length limit of 2.5m will not change, there is an additional restriction on the width of a projecting load. This means that a load must not project more than 150mm beyond the vehicle’s width or be more than 2.5m in overall width, whichever is less.

The new standards bring Tasmania into line with other jurisdictions around the country.

Flyers detailing the new changes will be sent out with trailer and ute registration renewals, as well as being available at hardware stores, Service Tasmania centres and online at www.transport.tas.gov.au
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure