Draw bar or other couplers; length limitations; safety devices;
compliance requirements
Sec. 8. (a) This section does not apply to farm wagons.
(b) The draw bar or other connection between any two (2)
vehicles, one (1) of which is towing or drawing the other upon a
highway, may not exceed fifteen (15) feet in length from one (1)
vehicle to the other.
(c) Each trailer and semitrailer hauled by a motor propelled
vehicle must be attached to the vehicle and to each other with the
forms of coupling devices that will prevent the trailer or semitrailer
from being deflected more than six (6) inches from the path of the
towing vehicle or to each other, by suitable safety chains or devices,
one (1) on each side of the coupling and at the extreme outer edge of
the vehicle. Each chain or device and connection used must be of
sufficient strength to haul the trailer when loaded.
(d) A vehicle, including a combination of vehicles engaged in
interstate commerce, and any safety equipment on the vehicle,
including safety chains, cables, or other devices, that is otherwise in
compliance with:
(1) the United States Department of Transportation Federal
Highway Administration motor carrier safety regulations;
(2) the motor vehicle safety standards of the National Highway
Safety Bureau of the United States Department of
Transportation; or
(3) the successor of either or both of those agencies;
is considered to be in compliance with this section.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8.
Last modified: May 27, 2006