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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
vehicle loads; restrictions
Purpose
Expands restrictions on vehicle loads to apply to a street or roadway and removes an exception for agricultural materials, as prescribed.
Background
To drive or move a vehicle on a highway, the vehicle must be constructed or loaded in a manner to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking or otherwise escaping from the vehicle, excluding: 1) sufficient sand that is dropped to secure traction; 2) water or another substance that is sprinkled on a roadway for cleaning or maintenance; and 3) minor pieces of agricultural materials such as leaves and stems from agricultural loads. A person may not operate a vehicle with a load on a highway, unless the load and any covering on the load are securely fastened in a manner that prevents the covering or load from becoming loose, detached or a hazard to other highway users.
If a person is found in violation of the prescribed vehicle load restrictions, the person is subject to a civil penalty of up to: 1) $250 for a first violation and $350 for a second or subsequent violation in a 60-month period; 2) $500 for a violation that results in an accident causing serious physical injury to another person; or 3) $1,000 for a violation that results in an accident causing the death of another person (A.R.S. § 28-1098).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Applies the prescribed vehicle load restrictions to a street or roadway.
2. Removes the exception for minor pieces of agricultural materials that drop, sift, leak or otherwise escape from a vehicle.
3. Makes technical and conforming changes.
4. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Research
February 8, 2024
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