Okla. Admin. Code § 730:50-5-12

Current through Vol. 41, No. 19, June 17, 2024

Section 730:50-5-12 - Movements of oversize and/or overweight vehicles during a life-threatening emergency

(a) For purpose of this subchapter, "Disaster" includes flood, tornado, fire, or any other large scale emergency situation that causes or threatens to cause the loss of life or destruction or damage to property of such magnitude as to seriously endanger the public health, safety, or welfare, or causes or threatens destruction of or major damage to any transportation system.

(b) During major emergencies, authorization may be obtained from the Department of Transportation Permit Office for the emergency movement of necessary vehicles and/or loads which exceed the maximum legal dimensions and weight limitations, to or within the emergency area without a standard oversize or overweight permit; however, normal permit requirements shall be observed unless otherwise authorized. During regular office hours, the Department of Transportation Permit Office shall be contacted for assistance in routing. When the Permit Office is closed, the Communications Center of the Department of Public Safety (405/425-2424) will contact Permit officials for permit authorization. All movements made on emergency authorization are required to obtain the applicable permit or permits on the next Department of Transportation working day.

(c) Following the emergency, unless otherwise authorized, the vehicles and/or loads shall be moved from the disaster area under normal permit, conditions, and authority. The Executive Director of the Department of Transportation may issue an emergency authorization or permit for movement to an emergency and return on the same route to the point of origin. The permit or authorization for vehicles going to the emergency may also allow night, weekend, or holiday travel. The permit or authorization to return to the point of origin may also allow daytime weekend or holiday travel.

(d) In the event an area has been declared a disaster area by the President or Governor, manufactured homes may be authorized to move into the area without a standard permit; provided, the 16 feet maximum width limitation shall apply when traveling on routes of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. The manufactured homes must be owned by the victims of the disaster or otherwise brought into the area for public relief purposes. If the units are furnished by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Permit Office of the Department of Transportation will generally authorize movement in conformance with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' National Policy; the Permit Office may include such additional restrictions in its authorization as are considered necessary. Movements under this emergency authorization are required to obtain the appropriate permit or permits on the next business day.

(e) The emergency movement of vehicles and/or loads to railroad derailments may be authorized on state highways during periods when normal permits are restricted, provided:

(1) a loss of life is threatened, or hazardous materials are involved, or a mainline railroad or other major rail line or transportation facility is blocked; and

(2) during normal working hours, the emergency service company shall obtain standard permits by contacting a Department of Transportation Permit Office. If the emergency occurs when the Permit Office is closed, the emergency service company may, if authorized, obtain a permit through the Oklahoma permitting system under established rules. A representative shall contact the Department of Public Safety Communications Center (405/425-2424) to request emergency movement authorization. The information required before authorization will be granted includes the permit number, location of the incident, time of occurrence, description of equipment needed and the origin and requested routing of the movement. If loss of life is threatened or any major transportation facility is blocked, Permit Officials may waive the requirement for certain items of such information.

Okla. Admin. Code § 730:50-5-12

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 40, Issue 24, September 1, 2023, eff. 9/11/2023