Local authorities may by ordinance or resolution prohibit the operation of vehicles upon any highways or impose restrictions as to the weight of vehicles when operated upon any highway under the jurisdiction of and for the maintenance of which such local authorities are responsible, whenever any said highway by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other climatic conditions will be seriously damaged or destroyed unless the use of vehicles thereon is prohibited or the permissible weights reduced. Such local authorities enacting any such ordinance or resolution shall erect or cause to be erected and maintained signs designating the provisions of the ordinance or resolution at each end of that portion of any highway affected thereby, and the ordinance or resolution shall not be effective until or unless such signs are erected and maintained. Local authorities may also, by ordinance or resolution, prohibit the operation of trucks or other commercial vehicles or impose limitations as to the weight thereof on designated highways, which prohibitions and limitations shall be designated by appropriate signs.

The Department of Transportation in respect to state highways or roads designated as part of the state system of primary roads may prescribe loads and weights lower than the limits prescribed in Section 32-9-20 whenever in its or their judgment any road or part thereof, any bridge or culvert shall by reason of deterioration, rain, snow, or other climatic conditions be liable to be damaged or destroyed by vehicles. In such event there shall be erected and maintained proper signs designating the provisions of such additional restrictions, such signs to be placed at each end of that portion of highway affected thereby. After such signs have been erected, the operation of any vehicle contrary to its provisions shall constitute a violation of this title, and such violation shall be punishable as provided in this title.