Whenever the load or any projecting portion of any vehicle shall extend beyond the rear of the bed or body thereof, the operator shall display at the end of such load or projection, in such position as to be clearly visible from the rear of such vehicle, a red flag being not less than 12 inches square. Between one-half hour before sunrise, there shall be displayed in place of the flag a red light plainly visible under normal atmospheric conditions at least 200 feet from the rear of such vehicle.
(`83 Code, § 9-123)