Motorists Reminded to Secure Cargo Loads
The state Department of Transportation joins a nationwide campaign to remind motorists to tie down cargo to prevent injury and road debris.
Maui Now graphic.
On Oʻahu alone, the department responds to an average of 5,000 call-outs each year for potentially hazardous debris on state roads.
Here on Maui, the driver of a Maui Bus escaped serious injury in January of 2014, when a surfboard became airborne from another vehicle near Launiupoko and crashed through the front windshield of the bus. Transportation officials say that if it wasn’t for the bike rack on the bus, the driver could have been seriously injured.
Motorists are reminded that under the state traffic code, cargo loads tied to vehicles should be secured to prevent them from dropping, shifting, leaking, blowing, spilling or otherwise escaping.
This week was selected to honor the memory of 29-year-old Matthew Reif of Arizona who was killed 11 years ago on June 6, 2006, when an unsecured 10-pound piece of scrap metal from a truck in front of him smashed through his windshield and claimed his life.
The Secure Your Load campaign is the brainchild of Robin Abel of Seattle, Washington. She started the campaign in 2004; after her daughter was injured by an unsecured load.
The state Department of Transportation issued a reminder saying anytime you travel with a loaded truck bed, trailer, or roof rack make sure to properly secure your load by:
- Tying down the load with rope or straps.
- Tying large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer.
- Covering the entire load with a sturdy tarp (which is then tied down) or netting.
After tying down a load double check to make sure that nothing can slide, fall, or shift out of your vehicle. Also, check your car manual to make sure you aren’t overloading your vehicle.
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