Section 31614 Of Division 14. Transportation Of Explosives From California Vehicle Code >> Division 14.
31614
. The following provisions shall apply to any vehicle
transporting explosives subject to this division:
(a) When transporting explosives through or into a city or any
other congested area for which a route has not been designated by the
Department of the California Highway Patrol, drivers shall follow
such routes as may be prescribed or established by local authorities.
(b) Where routes are not prescribed by local authority, every
driver of a vehicle transporting explosives shall avoid, so far as
practicable, and, where feasible, by prearrangement of routes,
driving into or through congested thoroughfares, places where crowds
are assembled, streetcar tracks, tunnels, viaducts, and dangerous
crossings.
(c) No driver or other person in charge of any vehicle on any
public or private property shall permit any explosive to be loaded
into, or on, or to be unloaded from any motor vehicle with the engine
running, and, whenever any loading operation is in progress, the
parking brake on the motor vehicle shall be securely set and all
reasonable precautions taken to prevent movement of the motor vehicle
during loading or unloading.
(d) No driver or other person in charge of such vehicle shall
operate or permit the operation of any vehicle transporting
explosives unless all of that portion of the lading which consists of
explosives is contained entirely within the body of the motor
vehicle or within the horizontal outline thereof, without overhang or
projection of any part of the load, and if such motor vehicle has a
tailboard or tailgate it shall be closed and secured in place during
such transportation.
(e) Every motor vehicle transporting explosives shall have either
a closed body or have the explosive cargo covered with a fire- and
water-resistant tarpaulin, and in either event, care shall be taken
to protect the load from moisture and sparks. Subject to other
exceptions as are permitted by the United States Department of
Transportation regulations, explosives may be transported on flat-bed
vehicles if the explosive portion of the load on each vehicle is
packed in fire- and water-resistant containers or covered with a
fire- and water-resistant tarpaulin.
(f) No person shall operate any vehicle transporting explosives
past any fire of any kind burning on or near the highway until the
driver ascertains that such passing can be made with safety.
(g) No motor vehicle transporting explosives shall be left
unattended upon any street or highway except in extreme emergency.
The vehicle shall be deemed attended whenever a driver or person in
charge thereof is in or upon the vehicle or is in a position to
observe the vehicle at all times. The driver or person in charge of a
vehicle transporting explosives may, however, leave the vehicle
unattended at any place designated as a safe parking place on the
list of safe stopping places prepared by the Department of the
California Highway Patrol unless conditions exist, which are known to
the driver, which make it unreasonable to do so.
(h) No driver or other person shall smoke or light any match or
otherwise have or produce any fire or flame while in, upon, or near
any vehicle transporting explosives.
(i) No person shall transport any explosives in a passenger
vehicle, or bus, which is subject to this division.