MONTGOMERY — As part of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) 101 Days of
Summer Safety Campaign, ALEA is reminding motorists that Saturday, June 6, is National
Secure Your Load Day, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the dangers of unsecured
cargo and roadway debris.
Summer is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year, with families taking vacations, home
improvement projects underway, landscaping work increasing, and boats, recreational vehicles
and trailers frequently traveling Alabama’s roadways. Unfortunately, improperly secured loads
can quickly become deadly hazards for motorists.
ALEA’s Motor Carrier Safety Unit, which works daily to promote commercial vehicle safety and enforce load securement across Alabama, is encouraging all drivers, both commercial and non- commercial, to take a few extra minutes to properly secure cargo before traveling.
“National Secure Your Load Day serves as an important reminder that roadway safety is
everyone’s responsibility,” said ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor. “During the summer months, we
see an increase in construction projects, moving activities, landscaping work and recreational
travel. Taking the time to properly secure your cargo can prevent crashes, save lives and help
keep Alabama’s roadways safe and free of debris.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 850
people are killed and almost 19,000 more are injured in crashes involving objects in the road
each year. Most of the vehicles (73%) in these crashes are passenger vehicles. Road debris can
cause drivers to swerve, lose control or collide with objects that have fallen from vehicles. These
incidents are often preventable with proper planning and load securement.
Five Easy Steps to Secure Your Load
1. Properly tie down loads with rope, netting or straps.
2. Secure large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer.
3. Cover loads with a sturdy tarp or netting when appropriate.
4. Never overload your vehicle or trailer.
5. Double-check your load before departing and periodically during your trip.
In addition to protecting lives, securing loads helps prevent litter and debris from accumulating
along Alabama’s highways. Items that fall from vehicles not only create dangerous driving
conditions but also impact the beauty of Alabama’s communities and natural resources.
ALEA encourages all motorists to make load securement a standard safety practice and to
remember the message: Secure Your Load as if everyone you love is driving in the vehicle
behind you.
National Secure Your Load Day is observed annually to honor those whose lives have been
impacted by unsecured loads and roadway debris while promoting safer roads for everyone.
For more information about ALEA’s 101 Days of Summer Safety Campaign, visit
www.alea.gov.
Media Release/Senior Trooper Gregory Corble/Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
