On ‘Secure Your Load Day’ King County reminds motorists to improve road safety by tying down materials

June 4, 2021

Summary

Sunday, June 6, is “Secure Your Load Day,” and the King County Solid Waste Division encourages everyone to properly secure materials in their vehicles to keep roadways safe, avoid fees and prevent litter.

Story

In recognition of “Secure Your Load Day” on Sunday, June 6, King County’s Solid Waste Division is reminding all drivers transporting oversized items such as furniture, equipment, or debris to take the time and use basic supplies, such as ropes, netting, and straps, to properly secure their loads. A load is secure when nothing can slide, shift, or fall onto the roadway, or become airborne.

Secure Your Load is a national effort championed by King County resident Robin Abel, whose daughter suffered severe injuries when an unsecured load fell from a vehicle and struck Abel’s daughter’s vehicle. 

“Even though the dangers of an unsecured load seem obvious, every year we see thousands of people showing up at our recycling and garbage transfer stations with improperly secured loads,” said Solid Waste Division Director Pat McLaughlin. “State law requires our employees to charge a fee to anyone who arrives with an unsecured load.”

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration unsecure loads and road debris caused over 700 deaths, 17,00 injuries and nearly 90,000 property damage crashes in 2019.
 
Even if someone is transporting materials in or on their vehicle for a short distance and at low speeds, all loads transported on every roadway must be secured. These simple tips for securing loads can save lives:

• Place lighter items lower and heavier items on top to help keep everything in place.
• Tie down your load using rope, netting, straps, or chains. Fasten large items directly to your vehicle. 
• Consider covering the entire load with a tarp or netting. Make sure that any covering is securely tied down.
• Don’t overload your vehicle or trailer.
• Double-check that your load is secure.

For more information about securing your load, visit secureyourload.com.

RELEVANT LINKS
• Secure Your Load
• King County Solid Waste Division

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Annie Kolb-Nelson, 206-477-5373

About the King County Solid Waste Division
The Solid Waste Division is guided by its vision to achieve Zero Waste of Resources by 2030, and to enhance the environment through collaboration and innovation. The division operates eight transfer stations, two rural drop boxes, and the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill – the only operational landfill in the county. Our stakeholders include residents and business owners in unincorporated King County and 37 cities throughout the county. Our mission is to deliver value our customers and stakeholders, and to continuously improve waste prevention, resource recovery, and waste disposal.