Any peace officer with reasonable suspicion that a vehicle and its load exceed lawful measurements in terms of height, width, length, or weight may instruct the operator to halt the vehicle for a measurement or weighing. Upon determining through measurement or weighing that the vehicle and its load exceed lawful dimensions, the officer, special function officer, or port-of-entry agent conducting the measurement or weighing may require the operator to park the vehicle in a suitable location. The vehicle must remain parked until adjustments are made to bring it within legal limits, either by modifying the vehicle or unloading a portion of the load. The owner or operator of the vehicle is responsible for the care of any unloaded materials at their own risk.

Failure or refusal by the operator to comply with the request to stop and submit the vehicle and load for measurement or weighing, or to follow directives given by a peace officer, special function officer, or port-of-entry agent, constitutes an infraction. Individuals suspected of operating a vehicle with an unsecured load on a highway may receive a warning.

Violations of this section incur the following penalties:

Infraction for violations that pose a hazard but do not result in a motor vehicle accident.

Class B misdemeanor for violations causing a hazard leading to a motor vehicle accident.

Class A misdemeanor for violations causing a hazard resulting in serious bodily injury or death in a motor vehicle accident.

Fines for violating this section are as follows:

$200 for a first-time violation.

$500 for a second or subsequent violation within three years of a previous violation.

For violations committed while operating a commercial vehicle as defined in Section 72-9-102, fines are as follows:

Not less than $500 for a first-time violation.

Not less than $1,000 for a second or subsequent violation within three years of a previous violation.