BATON ROUGE, La. – National Secure Your Load Day is Saturday, June 6. Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser want to remind drivers to properly secure their loads to prevent 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 Lieutenant 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.”
“Roadside litter from unsecured loads can be prevented by securing your haul with tarps, ropes, and tie-down straps,” said Susan Russell, Keep Louisiana Beautiful Executive Director. “Also remember to always keep a bag in your vehicle for your trash and dispose of it properly in a receptacle.”
Roadside littering is illegal and can be reported to Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s Litter Hotline at 855-LA-Litter. You can also report online at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org. Please share the violator’s plate information, make of vehicle, and the location where the littering took place. Those found guilty will be ticketed.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 800 people are killed and 19,000 more are injured every year because of objects in the road. Most of these crashes (73%) 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 roadside litter prevention tips and an educational video are available at KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.