What's expected when on a pilot car run

Over Size Load Movement Safety

Over Size Load Movement must, at all times, be operated with regard to public safety, comply, in all respects, with the state specific vehicle movement laws, comply with all permit specified requirements, restrictions and special conditions. Vehicles must be in compliance with state regulations, display flashing lights, signs and flags as required, maintain sufficient communication to promote public and load safety. Avoid unnecessary conversation, keep the load driver informed of your location, monitor and advise load driver of any malfunction of load lights, tie-down straps and chains and tire and brake problems, compare vehicle speedometer readings as necessary. Advise load driver of any potential violations of state restrictions, noncompliance with posted speeds limits and or permit speed restrictions and follow safe maneuvering techniques. Estimate braking distance for load and maintain necessary vehicle spacing while adjusting your spacing for congested areas, when approaching low clearance structures, narrow bridges and blind curves. If vehicle spacing is extended for the presence of hazardous conditions, test the communications quality to verify that extending the spacing has not resulted in ineffective communications and adjust vehicle spacing appropriately to maintain quality communications. Advise load driver of impending roadway restrictions or hazards and recommend defensive maneuvers. Advise driver of  narrow structures and bridges, guard rails, elevated and or rough grade crossings, impaired clearances, construction activity and road closures, changes in traffic flow or intensity, vehicle passing, changes in surrounding traffic speed or volume, change in road or weather conditions, trees, utility lines and soft shoulders, stalled vehicles, mailboxes, telephone poles, pedestrians and road signs. When potential hazard cannot be adequately assessed by sight, load should be safely parked and warning devices placed, escort driver should proceed and physically assess hazard. Determine if alternate route is necessary then identify alternate route and survey alternate route. Ensure appropriate notifications are made regarding alternate route. Be aware of traffic control light timing risks, communicate situations where a driver is unable to clear the traffic control light, identify and communicate emergency situations to drivers. If you need to initiate emergency procedures for breakdowns, pull as far off the roadway as possible, place warning cones and or triangles only after putting on safety apparel, make every effort to minimize disruption of traffic flow, provide smooth transition for surrounding traffic, turn on vehicle emergency flashers and maintain escort vehicle warning lights, resolve emergency situation as quickly as possible, Do Not abandon load or leave load unprotected, apply state permissible flagging procedures then communicate emergency situation to law enforcement and authorities as necessary. Initiate emergency procedures when vertical measuring device ( high pole ) contact is made with an overhead obstruction,  Immediately advise load driver, pull vehicles as far off the roadway as possible then again like you just read above. There is a whole lot more to know but this should be a big part of what's expected when on a pilot car run.