Today is National Secure Your Load Day. This traffic safety campaign was founded in 2004 by Washington state resident Robin Abel after her life was altered by an unsecured load that nearly killed her daughter. This day serves as an important reminder that the safety of our roads depends on each of us. By taking simple steps to secure our loads, we can prevent crashes and save lives.
Recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows what happens when a load is left unsecured. In 2022 there were:
- 68,466 crashes
- 17,203 injuries
- 895 deaths
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, at 55 miles per hour, a 20-pound object that falls from a vehicle strikes with an impact of 1,000 pounds. That’s the equivalent of a 6 person hot tub or 4 full-size refrigerators falling on your windshield.
The safety campaign encourages drivers to secure cargo with tie-down straps and a covering because unsecured loads can litter roadways or cause crashes, serious injuries or death to other drivers.
Life-saving precautions include:
- Don’t rely on the weight of a load to hold it in place
- Use rope, straps or cords to tie loads down to the vehicle or trailer.
- Cover the load with a sturdy tarp or netting, especially when hauling loose material like branches, logs or miscellaneous objects
- Don’t overload the vehicle or trailer
- Make sure your load is secure enough to prevent shifting
Please share the importance of securing your load and to practice safety measures every day.
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