National Secure Your Load Day highlights road safety risks

SALT LAKE CITY — As National Secure Your Load Day approaches this weekend, Utah safety officials are reminding drivers that properly securing cargo can help prevent crashes, save lives and keep roads clear. The Utah Department of Public Safety hosted a demonstration Thursday in Taylorsville as part of the annual awareness campaign. Officials highlighted the dangers of unsecured loads, especially during the “100 Deadliest Days” on Utah roads, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatalities often increase. Lt. Zach Randall with the Utah Highway Patrol said debris calls are a constant challenge for troopers across the state. “Each and every day, UHP troopers respond to about, on average, 70 calls per day for debris in the roadways, which adds up to 25,000 per year,” Randall said. Officials explained that debris incidents can pull troopers away from other duties and create dangerous situations for drivers traveling at highway speeds. The items found on Utah roads can range from small objects to large pieces of cargo. “Barbecues, kayaks, coolers anything like that. I mean, you name it, we’ve seen it drive over the road,” Randall said. When debris lands on a roadway, troopers often must respond quickly to prevent secondary crashes. In some situations, traffic may need to be slowed or temporarily stopped while crews safely remove the hazard. Officials encourage drivers to report dangerous roadway debris if they witness cargo falling from a vehicle. “Maybe there are already losing some items off of their vehicle. Call 911. That’ll get you through to your nearest dispatch center, relay that information to troopers nearby and hopefully we can get that vehicle stopped or take whatever preventative action we can,” Randall said. Drivers who fail to secure their loads can face fines and other penalties. Safety officials emphasized that taking a few extra minutes to secure cargo before driving is one of the simplest ways to prevent crashes and protect everyone on the road. National Secure Your Load Day is observed each year to raise awareness about the dangers of unsecured cargo and encourage drivers to take responsibility for anything they transport.

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