June 6th is National Secure Your Load Day

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is teaming up with Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to remind Oklahomans this week to secure your load.

June 6th is National Secure Your Load Day, an effort put into place by Robin Abel, a Washington resident whose daughter was nearly killed by an unsecured load in 2004.

Flying and fallen debris can cause property damage, traffic crashes, and even fatalities. Nationally, 739 deaths, 17,367 injuries, and 89,915 crashes occurred due to road debris in 2019. Eighteen motorists were killed in unsecured load-related crashes in the past three years on Oklahoma roads. And in 2022 alone, nearly 528 load securement violations were detected. 117 Oklahoma roadside citations and 117 fines were issued.

It is the responsibility of all drivers to be thorough in securing their loads to help ensure the safety of citizens and visitors traveling on Oklahoma roads.

Here are some tips from the OHP Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Division for securing your load:

• Secure your load for sudden movement on all three axes (up & down, side to side, and lengthwise).
• Only use load securement devices in good condition. Chains should not have cracked, stretched or nicked links. Webbing should not have splices, cuts or holes.
• Follow working load limits on securement devices, and when in doubt, always use extra securement devices.

Governor Kevin Stitt declared June 6-12, 2023, as “Secure Your Load Week” in the State of Oklahoma.