Harrisburg, PA – With the goal of preventing crashes caused
by debris falling from vehicles, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today joined to recognize
June 6 as “Secure Your Load Day” in Pennsylvania.
“Secure Your Load Day” is a nationwide initiative conceived
by Robin Abel, whose daughter was catastrophically injured in Washington State
when an unsecured piece of particle board flew from the back of a moving
trailer and through her windshield. The 2004 accident nearly killed the
24-year-old and left her totally blind.
Pennsylvania law mandates that any vehicle driven on a
highway must be loaded in a way that prevents its load from dropping, shifting,
leaking, or otherwise escaping. If any item or piece of a load falls from a
vehicle and causes property damage or injury to another person, the driver
faces a fine of up to $1,000. A violation that does not result in injury or
property damage is punishable by a fine of up to $300.
In 2016, troopers issued 571 citations to drivers who failed
to properly secure their cargo.
More important than any potential fine, however, is the
responsibility we all share to keep fellow drivers and passengers safe,
according to Major Edward Hoke, director of the Pennsylvania State Police
Bureau of Patrol.
“No one sets out with the intention to cause a life-changing
traffic accident, but failing to properly secure items in your truck bed or
trailer puts everyone at risk,” Major Hoke said. “We’re asking everyone to
secure their loads as if someone they love is in the car behind them.”
A 2016 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found
that more than 200,000 crashes in the United States over the previous four
years involved debris on the roadway. The study also showed that debris-related
crashes are much more likely to occur on interstate highways, where driving at
higher speeds increases the risk of cargo falling onto the road.
“Keeping our highways free of debris and obstructions is
critically important to the safety of not only drivers, but also road crews and
first responders,” Secretary Leslie S. Richards said. “An extra five minutes to
ensure your load is properly secured could prevent a tragic crash.”
Experts offer the following advice to keep a load secure
when driving:
Ensure the vehicle or trailer is properly maintained before
loading; check the tires for proper inflation.
Tie down the items with strong rope, netting or ratchet
straps.
Fasten larger items directly to the vehicle or trailer –
never rely on the weight of an item to keep it stable.
Make multiple trips if necessary; don’t overload the
vehicle.
For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit
www.psp.pa.gov. For more information on PennDOT safety programs, visit
www.penndot.gov/safety.
