Why It Is Important to Secure Your Load

June 6, 2022 is National Secure Your Load Day. Summer travel will soon be picking up, and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) wants to remind motorists to ensure any cargo being transported on their vehicles is secure. As car accident lawyers who have seen the devastation caused by an unsecure load, William Mattar, P.C. wants to do our part in educating drivers the importance in securing their load, as well.

“At some point, every driver has seen mattresses sliding off the roof of a car, tarps flying out of the back of a pickup, you name it,” said New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and GTSC Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder. “All of these things are extremely dangerous and can cause serious crashes if they spring loose. So, please, for the safety of everyone on the road, make it a practice to adequately secure all items you are transporting before you hit the road, and make periodic stops to check that they remain secure.”

In data released by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it is reported that unsecured loads and road debris caused tens of thousands of accidents resulting in 715 deaths and  16,595 injuries across the United States in 2020. Additionally, statistics compiled by Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR), report that there were 2,969 accidents in which “obstruction/debris” was names a contributing factor across the State of New York in 2020.

The AAA Foundation for Safety says that drivers may be able to lower their chances of being involved in an accident caused by road debris by ensuring all items are secured to the vehicle, and that the vehicle is properly maintained. They also recommend driving defensively and avoiding tailgating. Additionally, having eyes on the road at all times to be aware of any road debris.

Suggestions from the AAA Foundation for Safety

• Tie large objects directly to the vehicle/trailer.
• Tie down any load with rope, netting, or straps.
• Cover the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting.
• Do not overload the vehicle.
• Double/triple check load to make ensure it is secure.

Injured in an Accident Caused by an Unsecured Load? Contact William Mattar.

It happens- you’re driving down the road and something flies out of the bed of the pick-up truck or trailer in front of you. If this happened to you and resulted in an injury, consider contacting a car accident lawyer that handles bodily injury claims. William Mattar, P.C. is New York State’s largest motor vehicle accident firm. Contact us 24/7 at 844-444-4444 or via the contact form online.