Secure your load for safer roads
When do you need to secure items in your truck or trailer? Every time you hit the road. Unsecured loads cause over 300 crashes in Washington every year and cause up to 40% of roadside litter — let’s change that.
Even if it’s a short trip, you’re going slow, or you’re hauling items that seem heavy enough to stay put, securing your load is vital to keeping roads safe and litter free. So, whatever you’re hauling — secure your load for safer roads.
Tips for secure loads
Questions to ask yourself
- Would I feel my family was safe if they were driving behind me?
- Will my load stay secure if I have to brake suddenly, hit a bump, turn a corner, or go uphill?
- Is there any chance of debris falling or blowing out of my vehicle?
- If it rains, will any of my cargo break down?
- Did I double-check my load to make sure it’s secure?
2 out of 3 drivers always secure their loads, but we need everyone's help.
Spread the word
Talk to your friends, family, and co-workers and make sure they don’t hit the road before safely securing cargo. You can even point them to this website!
Call 911 if you see an unsecured load
If you see a dangerous unsecured load while driving, or you see something fall off a vehicle that could cause a crash or injure someone, call 911.
Unsecured loads = Big fines
Littering and driving with an unsecured vehicle load are against the law in Washington, with fines up to $5,000. Some local jurisdictions have stricter laws and may charge an unsecured load fee at their facilities.
National Secure Your Load Day on June 6th commemorates people whose lives were impacted or taken by unsecured loads and encourages drivers to properly secure their loads every time they drive. The Secure Your Load for Safer Roads program is part of the We Keep Washington Litter Free campaign aimed at improving road safety and reducing dangerous litter on our roadways.
Get tie-down equipment for your vehicle
Properly securing truck loads with tie-down equipment like cargo nets or ratchet straps prevents crashes and saves lives, ensuring Washington roads are both safe and litter free. We regularly partner with local governments to distribute load securing equipment to unsecured loads entering their solid waste facilities.
This year, we are also partnering with NAPA Auto Parts stores at 12 select locations in central Washington. Customers at any of the participating locations can sign a pledge to secure their loads in exchange for a 15% discount on ratchet straps, cargo nets, or other tie-down equipment until June 23 or while supplies last. Find the store nearest you from the list of participating locations.
Related links
Contact information
Amber Smith
Statewide litter prevention coordinator
amber.smith@ecy.wa.gov
360-688-4957