Law enforcement reminds us to take extra steps when hauling items

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - In Idaho, it is not uncommon to see pickups with beds full of items as they go to the dump or even trailers with different materials on them. Due to the high frequency of this happening, sometimes these items and materials are not secured into the bed or trailer and can fly out.

This can create unnecessary hazards on the road. Tuesday, June 6, 2023, is Secure your Load Day, dedicated to raising awareness about why it is so important to inspect your haul and be sure it is securely fastened.

Some of the steps are making sure your vehicle can handle the load and that it is secured. Secure it with the proper restraints. Whether that's ropes, straps or even bungee cords. Make sure any loose items are covered and not going to fly out.

Don't overload your vehicle and limit the ability you have to be safe on the road and make things more challenging to drive. Sometimes it might be helpful to continue to stop throughout the journey to make sure the load is still secure and not going to fall off.

Sergeant Justin Ward with the Idaho State Police says remembering to take these steps are paramount.

"We like to make sure people have the load secured in their vehicle, especially summertime, when people are getting out more, have a lot of stuff in the back of the pickups, trailers, especially ATVs, UTVs," Ward said. "When those come off vehicles, highway or city speeds, they can become projectiles and pretty dangerous."

He added if you are hauling something you may get pulled over if its not secured.

"If you have those, Off-Road vehicles, making sure they're strapped down, secured the trailers are in the back of the pickups, bicycles, any water, sports, toys, anything like that, making sure it's secured so it's not going to come out of the vehicle."

He says there is a possible citation involved if you get pulled over for the wrong doing and if something bad happens possible jail time.

"It's usually a fine it is a $67 fine for not having a secured load...If something came out and and heaven forbid, hurt, somebody could definitely become more of an issue then."

The campaign started in 2004 in an effort to help prevent further deaths from unsecured loads on the highway.