Posted on Jun 05, 2024 | News,Press Releases
June 6 is National Secure Your Load Day
BATON ROUGE, La – On June 6, National Secure Your Load Day, Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB) and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor want to remind drivers to properly secure their loads to prevent roadside litter which can cause crashes, traffic delays, injuries, and fatalities.
“Littering is against the law, regardless of whether or not it’s intentional,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “If an object flies from your vehicle or your haul, you are littering. Not only does roadside litter look unsightly, but it can potentially be a safety hazard, resulting in car accidents and even fatalities.”
“Roadside litter from unsecured loads can be prevented by securing your haul with tarps, ropes, and tie-down straps,” said Susan Russell, KLB Executive Director. “Also remember to always keep a bag in your vehicle for your trash and dispose of it properly in a receptacle.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each year, about 730 people are killed and 17,000 more are injured because of objects in the road. Most of these crashes (81%) involve unsecured loads on passenger vehicles.
Follow these tips to ensure you properly secure your cargo:
- Tie cargo down with rope, netting, or straps.
- Tie large objects directly to your vehicle or trailer.
- Consider covering the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting.
- Don’t overload your vehicle or trailer.
- Always double-check your load to make sure it’s secure.
More litter prevention tips are available at www.letlouisianashine.org.
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About Keep Louisiana Beautiful
Keep Louisiana Beautiful (KLB), a 501(c)(3) non-profit supported by the state of Louisiana and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, is focused on promoting best practices for litter prevention and reduction, beautification, recycling, waste reduction, and sustainability. The backbone of KLB is the organization’s network of 37 Community Affiliates and 10 University Affiliates – all committed to working toward a cleaner, greener Louisiana. KLB supports communities across the state with its programs, educational opportunities, and community improvement grants. KLB is affiliated with Keep America Beautiful. Learn more at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.
About Secure Your Load Day
Secure Your Load Day was established in 2010 by Robin Abel, a Northwest native whose life was altered by an incident on June 6 that nearly killed her daughter, Maria. In 2010, Robin joined forces with Paul Reif, an Arizona resident, after Reif’s son Matthew was killed by an unsecured load. Former Governor John Bel Edwards proclaimed June 6 “Secure Your Load for Road Safety Day” in Louisiana in 2023. For more information on Secure Your Load Day, please visit https://www.secureyourload.com/.
