When does an escort vehicle need to follow in front and back of a vehicle?

The requirement for an escort vehicle to follow both in front and behind a vehicle is determined by the overall width of the vehicle. When a vehicle exceeds certain width thresholds, it poses a greater risk to both the vehicle itself and other road users, hence the need for additional safety measures.

In this case, when the vehicle's width exceeds 4.6 metres, it's necessary to have an escort vehicle positioned both in front and behind. This arrangement helps ensure that the oversized vehicle is clearly marked and that other road users are aware of its presence and can maintain a safe distance. The escort vehicle in front can warn oncoming traffic, while the one behind can alert following vehicles, contributing to overall road safety.

While the other width options, such as 4.0 metres and 4.3 metres, can indicate the need for certain traffic control measures, only crossing the 4.6 metre threshold requires the additional precaution of escorts on both ends for maximum safety and compliance with regulations.