Properly Securing Your Vehicle Load Protects Everyone on North Carolina Roads

Unsecured loads continue to cause crashes, injuries, and fatalities that could be prevented

Every year, crashes occur on North Carolina highways and local roads because items fall or blow from vehicles and trailers. These incidents can lead to property damage, serious injury, and even death. In recognition of the ongoing risk, North Carolina has supported Secure Your Load Day, an annual public awareness campaign reminding drivers to properly secure whatever they are hauling. The message is straightforward: taking a few extra minutes to tie down, tarp, and check your load can save lives.

Unsecured loads can include anything from construction materials and yard debris to furniture, appliances, or even small tools and personal items. At highway speeds, an item as light as a plastic bucket can cause a driver behind you to swerve suddenly, which can trigger a chain reaction crash. Heavier objects can break through windshields or cause drivers to lose control entirely. Beyond the danger, debris left on roadways adds to cleanup costs and contributes to litter problems across the state.

Current Statistics in North Carolina

While the 2016 crash count was 657 incidents with 179 serious injuries and four fatalities linked to unsecured loads, the problem persists today. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, there have been over 3,000 reported crashes involving road debris or fallen cargo from 2019 through 2024. These have resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of serious injuries. Officials believe the true number is likely higher because not all debris-related crashes are reported with a clear cause.

Law enforcement agencies statewide continue to issue citations for unsecured loads. Under North Carolina law, it is illegal to operate a vehicle with an improperly secured load. Penalties for littering and unsecured loads can include fines of up to $2,000, community service requirements, and one driver’s license point if convicted. In certain cases, criminal charges may apply if the unsecured load results in serious injury or death.

Why Proper Load Security Matters

Properly securing cargo is about more than avoiding a ticket. The force of wind, vibration, and bumps in the road can shift even heavy objects if they are not tied down tightly. Cargo that appears stable when parked may become loose within the first few miles of travel. Once an item is airborne or has bounced onto the roadway, the driver may not have time to react, and those following have little warning before impact.

Nationally, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has reported that road debris is a factor in thousands of crashes each year. Many of these involve commercial vehicles, but private passenger cars, pickup trucks, and trailers are also frequent sources of unsecured loads. In North Carolina, where many residents haul yard waste, building supplies, or recreational equipment in open trucks or trailers, the risk is especially pronounced during busy moving seasons, storm cleanup efforts, and major home improvement projects.

Safety Tips for Securing Your Load

• Place heavier items at the bottom. Keep lighter items lower when possible to reduce the chance of them lifting or shifting. Distribute weight evenly to avoid imbalance.
• Use strong restraints. Secure items with ropes, ratchet straps, bungee cords, or netting rated for the weight of the cargo. Replace any strap or cord that is frayed, cut, or worn.
• Cover loose materials. A tarp, cargo net, or other covering helps keep smaller debris such as leaves, clippings, or clothing from blowing off. Secure covers on all sides so wind cannot catch underneath.
• Check from all angles. Walk around the vehicle and look over the top to ensure nothing can move or fall. Pay attention to corners and edges where items might slip free.
• Recheck after starting your trip. Stop within the first few miles to confirm that straps remain tight and that nothing has shifted. Re-tighten restraints as needed.

Special Considerations for Trailers and Pickup Trucks

Open-bed vehicles and utility trailers require extra care. Use tie-down points built into the bed or trailer frame rather than relying on side rails alone. If carrying tall items, secure them at both the top and bottom to prevent tipping. For bulk materials such as gravel or mulch, use a fitted tarp to fully cover the load. Remember that wind pressure increases with speed, which can loosen restraints that seemed tight during loading.

Boat trailers, camper trailers, and other recreational haulers should have all equipment and gear stowed inside compartments or strapped securely. Loose coolers, chairs, or sports gear can easily be blown out of an open area during highway travel.

Link to Statewide Safety Initiatives

Secure Your Load Day is part of the broader NC Vision Zero program, which works to eliminate traffic fatalities through education, enforcement, engineering improvements, and community engagement. Road debris prevention is one piece of this effort, alongside seat belt use, impaired driving prevention, and speed management. By reducing the number of unsecured loads, North Carolina can lower the risk of preventable crashes and injuries.

Resources for Drivers

The North Carolina Department of Transportation provides guidance on load securement for both commercial and private drivers. Commercial haulers must comply with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, which set specific requirements for tie-down strength, placement, and inspection. While private vehicle owners are not subject to all of these rules, following the same principles can greatly reduce risk.

Many home improvement stores, hardware retailers, and automotive supply shops sell inexpensive tie-down straps, cargo nets, and tarps. Investing in these tools costs far less than paying a fine, replacing damaged cargo, or facing liability for a crash.

Final Reminder

Whether you are driving a pickup, pulling a trailer, or carrying items on a roof rack, securing your load is your legal and moral responsibility. It protects you, your passengers, and everyone else sharing the road. Make load checks part of your pre-trip routine and treat them as seriously as checking your brakes or lights. A few extra minutes of preparation can prevent tragedy and keep North Carolina’s roads safer for all.