Indiana § 9-20-9-8 - Draw bar or other couplers; length limitations; safety devices; compliance requirements

§ 9-20-9-8. Draw bar or other couplers; length limitations; safety devices; compliance requirements

Sec. 8. (a) This section does not apply to farm wagons (as defined in IC 9-13-2-60(1)). However, a farm wagon (as defined in IC 9-13-2-60(2)) that is operated on a highway may not be used to tow another vehicle.

(b) The draw bar or other connection between any two (2) vehicles, one (1) of which is towing or drawing the other upon a highway, may not exceed fifteen (15) feet in length from one (1) vehicle to the other.

(c) Each trailer and semitrailer hauled by a motor propelled vehicle must be attached to the vehicle and to each other with the forms of coupling devices that will prevent the trailer or semitrailer from being deflected more than six (6) inches from the path of the towing vehicle or to each other, by suitable safety chains or devices, one (1) on each side of the coupling and at the extreme outer edge of the vehicle. Each chain or device and connection used must be of sufficient strength to haul the trailer when loaded.

(d) A vehicle, including a combination of vehicles engaged in interstate commerce, and any safety equipment on the vehicle, including safety chains, cables, or other devices, that is otherwise in compliance with:

(1) the United States Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration motor carrier safety regulations;

(2) the motor vehicle safety standards of the National Highway Safety Bureau of the United States Department of Transportation; or

(3) the successor of either or both of those agencies;

is considered to be in compliance with this section.

[Pre-1991 Recodification Citations: 9-8-1-5; 9-8-12-2 part.]

As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.150-2009, SEC.8; P.L.256-2017, SEC.157.