Summer's here, and with it comes the opportunities for outdoor activities. When you pack your cooler, chairs, and sporting equipment, remember it's your responsibility to make sure nothing can fall out of or fly off off your vehicle.
Anything falling from your vehicle can collide with other vehicles or pedestrians, causing serious injuries or fatalities. It is essential for drivers to properly secure their load.
From 2016 to 2020, an average of 16,878 people were injured per year when a vehicle collided with another object that was not properly secured. During this same time period, an average of 732 people per year lost their lives. Non-commercial passenger vehicles accounted for 81% of these crashes, in which cargo was not properly secured.
In their rush to get on the road, drivers may overlook the importance of properly securing a vehicle’s cargo. Before transporting a load, drivers should check that the vehicle’s load is secured on the top, sides, and back, and make sure nothing can blow or fall out.
Think about if you had to suddenly brake, take a tight turn, or went over a bump. Ask yourself: Would I feel safe driving behind my vehicle?