Authorities advise residents to properly secure trailer hitches

The Idaho state police report they are receiving frequent emergency calls because drivers aren’t securing their trailer hitches correctly causing them to unhitch while on the roads and highways.

Authorities have also recieved reports of items such as trash, tools and furniture flying out of the beds of trucks and causing major car accidents.

Rhett Winch of Idaho Falls said he checks his truck trailer hitch to make sure it is attached correctly to the trailer before heading out.

“You have to be careful and watch your trailer if it’s windy and if it starts to weave.” he said. “You have to be careful. It’s easy for trailers to fishtail.”

Winch suggests that people service their trailers before they hit the road.

“Check your trailer signal lights; make sure they light up. Tire pressure is a big one, and make sure that you have a strong chain in case the hitch pin breaks,” Winch said.

Carl McCay, a U-Haul employee who attaches hitches and trailers said that if you don’t hitch it, right it can be dangerous.

“It could come off or land in oncoming traffic and it can cause a major accident,” McCay said.

“It can not only hurt you, it can hurt strangers driving down the road.”

McCay suggests servicing trailers before long road trips and buying items such as a truck bed net that will cover items and keep them from flying out onto the road and causing an accident.

Idaho State Trooper Chris Weadick said obeying the rules of the road is important and a driver who doesn’t do his or her part can be cited and be held responsible.

“It only takes a few extra minutes to check your trailer,” Weadick said.