PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                                 Ch. 365

(i) Vehicle lights which comply with or exceed federal standards; and

(ii) After December 31, 1993, or a date established by the Secretary
that is at least 6 months after the effective date of the applicable federal standards,
whichever is later, reflective material that is consistent with the standards for conspicuity
promulgated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,

(6)     The semitrailer shall be equipped with a rear underride guard of
sufficient strength to prevent a motor vehicle from penetrating underneath the
semitrailer. The rear underride guard shall extend across the rear of the semitrailer to
within 4 inches of the lateral extremities of the semitrailer, and placed at a height not
exceeding 22 inches from the surface as measured when the semitrailer is on a level
surface.

(7)     Conspicuous warnings shall be displayed on the semitrailer, in a manner
prescribed by the Administration, indicating that the vehicle combination has a wide
turning radius.,

(8)     (I) [The] EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (II) OF THIS
PARAGRAPH, A combination of vehicles may not transport any Class A or B explosives,
poison gas, flammable gas and flammable liquids when carried as cargo, flammable solids
if dangerous when wet, radioactive materials, and uranium hexofluoride.

(II) SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH DOES NOT APPLY TO
THE TRANSPORT OF FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS WHEN PACKAGED IN A NONBULK
QUANTITY.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, if the Secretary determines
that the provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of this section are violated by a substantial
number of persons or if specific provisions of subsection (b) or (c) of this section are held
invalid by a binding determination of the Federal Highway Administration or a court of
competent jurisdiction:

(1)     The Department, after a public hearing, may issue a special permit to
allow a semitrailer (single), when operating in combination with a truck tractor, to exceed
48 feet in length up to a length not to exceed 53 feet;

(2)     A person may not drive or permit to be driven on any publicly
maintained highway a semitrailer (single), when operating in combination with a truck
tractor, that exceeds 48 feet in length up to a length not to exceed 53 feet, unless a valid
special permit issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection or a facsimile of a valid
special permit is carried in or on the vehicle combination; and

(3)     The Secretary may adopt regulations:

(i) That are consistent with the standards established in this section,
for the issuance of permits for vehicle combinations described under subsection (a) of this
section; and

(ii) That exempt from the requirements of, or provide alternative
requirements to, subsection (c) of this section for a vehicle manufactured before July 1,
1991, if the vehicle cannot meet the requirements.

- 2429 -