Unit 10, Lesson 04 - Towing Vehicles and Placement of Warning Devices

Vehicles
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On occasion, you may be called upon to tow another vehicle. In this situation there are only three rules to remember:
 
  1. The draw-bar or other connections between any tow vehicles may not exceed 15 feet in length from one vehicle to the other.
  2. When a connection consists of a chain, rope, or cable, there shall be a red flag or other signal attached to the connecting device. The flag shall be no smaller than 12 inches square (one foot square).
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  3. No person shall operate a train of vehicles when any trailer or other vehicle being towed whips or swerves dangerously or unreasonably from side to side.
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Redman Fireproof Storage Company, Knox Tractor and Load, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1915:By Harry Shipler of Shipler Commercial Photographers, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
 
Placement of Warning Devices
On occasion, your vehicle may break down on the road. It is important to know when and how to place the flares, flags, lights, etc. Warning devices must be displayed any time your vehicle is at least 80 inches wide or 30 feet long, and is disabled or stopped along the road for more than ten minutes. The warning devices are not required if you are:
  1. Legally parked in an urban district.
  2. Lawfully picking up or letting off passengers.
  3. Stopped to avoid conflict with other traffic.
  4. Complying with directions from a police officer or an official traffic control device.
Two simple steps for placing warning devices in emergency situations are:
  1. Immediately place a flare, lighted fusee, electric lantern, or emergency reflector to the side of the vehicle (in the direction of the nearest oncoming traffic).
  2. Next, place flares, electric lights, or reflectors 100 feet to the front and rear of the vehicle. Also place a warning device on the traffic side of, and not less than 10 feet from, the rear of your vehicle.
     
    The following illustration summarizes placement of warning devices.
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REMEMBER: FLARES AND FUSEES MAY NOT BE CARRIED IN VEHICLES TRANSPORTING EXPLOSIVES, FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OR COMPRESSED GAS.

Listed below are a few additional points you need to know about the placement of warning devices:

  1. On a one-way street, the rear flag should be placed 200 feet to the rear.
  2. Warning devices need not be displayed if there is sufficient light to reveal persons or vehicles from 1,000 feet.
  3. If your vehicle breaks down within 500 feet of a curve, hilltop, or something else that obstructs a clear view, the warning device in that direction shall be placed far enough away to give ample warning to approaching motorists. The warning device, however, may not be placed more than 500 feet away from the vehicle nor closer than 100 feet to the vehicle.

NOTE: All warning devices must be placed in the center of the lane in which your vehicle is stopped. If your vehicle is entirely off the road, place the devices on the shoulder of the road as close as possible to the road surface.

Safe Use of Flares and Fusees

Warning devices such as flares and fusees (a colored flare used as a signal by road workers and truckers) are meant as safety aids. Do not let them become a safety liability. Careful and safe use of these devices involves:

  1. Keeping the lighted end well away from your face and eyes. Fusees, especially, can cause bad burns.
  2. Not attaching any flare or fusee to your vehicle. Not only is this a very dangerous action, but it is also illegal.
  3. Keeping the burning flares or fusees away from fuel leakages and spills.
Convoys, Caravans, and Motorcades
If you are part of a convoy, caravan, or motorcade, you must allow sufficient space between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you for an overtaking vehicle to pass you and safely occupy that space.
 You should always maintain a safe following distance, whether you are part of a procession or not.
 
 
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