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The following sign indicates a wide load is being transported. But what does the letter D stand for in this case? Thank you!

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  • "D" stands for Overdimensional in Canada. In the US, the Wide Load is used. This sign covers both countries.
    – Jon Custer
    Commented Jan 4, 2023 at 19:50

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The D sign is for any overdimensional (not just too wide) loads.

The "D" stands for OverDimensional and Dimensions excédentaires, introduced by the national harmonization process (agreed to in 1988 and continues today). The reason is probably the same as why there are more other pictorial signs in Canada compared to U.S., i.e., official bilingualism (and official unilingualism in Quebec). A bilingual "WIDE LOAD / CHARGE TROP LARGE" or "OVERSIZE LOAD / CONVOI EXCEPTIONNEL (or even longer, CHARGE DE DIMENSIONS EXCÉDENTAIRES)" would be confusing and less comprehensible due to space constraints on a sign. A monolingual sign hinders interprovincial and international commerce if Quebec insists on French signs.

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  • Thank you so very much for your detailed explanations!
    – Maurice
    Commented Jan 5, 2023 at 14:22

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