BATON ROUGE, La. — National Secure Your Load Day is Saturday, June 6, and Keep Louisiana Beautiful along with Governor Billy Nungesser are reminding drivers to properly secure their cargo. Unsecured loads lead to roadside litter, which can cause crashes, traffic delays, injuries, and fatalities.
“Littering is illegal in Louisiana, whether intentional or not. Anything that leaves your vehicle and ends up on the roadway is litter and it’s dangerous not to mention unsightly,” said Governor Billy Nungesser. “When something flies out of your vehicle or off your trailer, it becomes roadside litter and can quickly turn into a serious hazard. Unsecured loads put every driver on the road at risk, and that’s something we can prevent.”
Executive Director Susan Russell said these incidents are entirely preventable by using tarps, ropes, and tie-down straps. She also reminded motorists to keep a trash bag inside their vehicles and dispose of waste properly.
Roadside littering can be reported to the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Litter Hotline at 855-LA-Litter or online at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org. Reports should include the license plate information, vehicle make, and location of the incident.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that debris in the road causes more than 800 deaths and 19,000 injuries annually, with 73 percent of those crashes involving unsecured loads on passenger vehicles.
Officials recommend the following safety tips:
Tie cargo down with rope, netting, or straps.
Tie large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer.
Cover the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting.
Avoid overloading the vehicle or trailer.
Double-check the load before driving.