How must a load be marked in darkness or bad visibility when it extends laterally more than 40 cm beyond the side lights of the vehicle?

When a load extends laterally more than 40 cm beyond the side lights of a vehicle, it is crucial for safety that the load is marked correctly to alert other road users. According to German traffic regulations, it is mandated to use a combination of signals: a white light to the front and a red light to the back.

The white light to the front is important as it indicates the presence of the extended load to drivers approaching from the front, reducing the risk of accidents. The red light to the back serves a similar purpose, notifying drivers behind the vehicle that there is an extended load, which could pose a hazard if not seen.

Using hazard warning lights alone is not sufficient, as they indicate a stationary vehicle or a temporary obstacle but do not directly highlight the specific nature of an extended load. Therefore, marking the load with both a white light in front and a red light in the back is essential for ensuring visibility and safety on the road.