How do you mark a load when it extends laterally by more than 0.4 m beyond the side lights of the vehicle?

When a load extends laterally by more than 0.4 m beyond the side lights of a vehicle, it is crucial to mark it properly for safety reasons. According to German traffic regulations, you should use white side lights to the front and a red lateral light to the back. This ensures that other road users can clearly see the extent of the load, which helps prevent accidents.

Using white lights at the front makes the load visible to vehicles approaching from the front, while red lights at the rear indicate to vehicles behind that there is an extension beyond the vehicle's normal width. The combination of these lights is necessary to enhance visibility under various driving conditions, particularly at night or in poor weather.

Correct marking ensures compliance with traffic laws and contributes to road safety by clearly communicating the dimensions of your vehicle and its load to other drivers.