Flagpole transport in Mexico: overhanging loads and red flags

A flagpole is a long, slender load that often exceeds the length of the vehicle carrying it. Its transport raises the question of loads overhanging the vehicle, which on federal highways is regulated by the Traffic Regulation for Federal Highways and Bridges, published in the Official Journal of the Federation on 22 November 2012. This guide summarises its rules and what makers offer.

Overhanging loads

Article 77 of the regulation prohibits the movement of vehicles whose dimensions exceed the maximums of the Regulation on the Weight, Dimensions and Capacity of Road Haulage Vehicles. In particular, it prohibits travelling with a load that overhangs sideways, exceeds the maximum height allowed or overhangs lengthwise by more than 0.50 metres, or without the warning devices of article 36, except for the exceptions provided for federal road haulage. The infringement is punished with a fine of 30 to 40 times the regulation’s daily rate.

Under article 78, a load overhanging at the rear of goods vehicles is only allowed when the vehicle does not exceed the maximum dimensions permitted, in compliance with articles 36 and 77.

Red flags and lights

Article 36 describes the warning device firmly attached to the furthest overhanging part of the load on vehicles of federal road haulage, its auxiliary services and private transport:

• By day: at the ends, two square red flags of at least 0.40 metres a side.
• At night: instead of the flags, two red reflectors and two lamps with red light visible from behind at 150 metres, and one lamp on each side of the warning device, with red light visible at the same distance.

City streets

The federal regulation applies on federal highways and bridges. In city streets, the traffic regulations of each state or municipality apply, with their own rules on loads and vehicle dimensions.

Poles in sections

Long flagpoles can be made in sections. Banderas México offers tapered or telescopic monumental poles in iron or aluminium tube, from 4 to 40 metres, whose sections fit into each other during assembly. A sectional pole takes up less space in the vehicle and is assembled on site. The guide to types of flagpoles presents the models.

Delivery by the maker

Several Mexican makers take care of transport. Astabanderas de México offers delivery in three to four working days for the commercial poles it has in stock, subject to availability, and Banderas Universal ships flags and poles throughout the country and, if required, delivers the poles to the customer’s city and carries out the civil works for their installation. For monumental poles, Grupo Symac shows assembly by crane. The guide to flagpole installation covers installation, and the guide to the price of a flagpole how transport and installation affect the price.