Highway Safety – Pilot Vehicle Requirements
Res #: 17-22M
Number: 17
Year: 2022
Midterm: Yes
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
WHEREAS there are many variations of oversized agricultural equipment being towed along provincial highways by non-agricultural means, trucks owned or hired by machinery dealerships, ie; highway tractor units or other types of trucks.
WHEREAS these pieces are being towed at slower than normal speed of the traveling public.
WHEREAS the current requirements are for only one pilot vehicle in the front of the tow unit, causing these units not to be seen around blind curves, over a hill or some other natural feature of the terrain.
BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Ministry of Highways and SGI, that this over-sized agricultural equipment fall under the same width requirements as other commercial loads for needing the second pilot vehicle when this equipment is being towed at slower than normal highway speeds.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
January 24, 2023
The ministry is committed to road safety and the ongoing review of current policies and practices regarding the transportation of farm equipment.
The Vehicle Weights and Dimensions Regulations, 2010 and associated policies specify farm equipment that is transported on a vehicle requires a pilot vehicle over 5.12 m in width and a rear escort vehicle for night travel over 3.85 m in width. Towed or self-propelled farm equipment requires a pilot vehicle when travelling on a designated highway over 5.12 min width and the rear escort vehicle for night travel when over 3.85 min width.
The towed or self-propelled farm equipment does not require a permit or an escort/pilot vehicle when travelling on a non-designated highway, or the load does not protrude into another lane on a designated highway.
The Honourable Jeremy Cockrill – Minister of Highways, Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure