Community
7 November, 2023
How secure is your load?
AS the warmer weather approaches, and thoughts turn to clearing property and homes, many are loading up trailers and heading to the tip.
Whether you are moving unwanted rubbish to landfill sites, taking furniture to new homes or picking up your latest purchases, make sure the load is well secured before transport.
Loose loads can be dangerous, and sometimes even fatal, to you and other drivers. It is an offence if your load is not properly restrained and is at risk of falling from your vehicle or trailer.
Every year Victorians are at danger from tonnes of debris falling onto roads from unsecured loads.
The debris causes road closures and disruptions and can lead to serious crashes.
According to VicRoads, 80 tonnes of debris is removed from the state’s roads every month – with 700 calls-outs to collect debris.
More than 50 cars were hit by items falling off a trailer or truck in 2008 and some of those caused serious injury.
A properly restrained load won’t dislodge, even after the most severe braking, swerving and cornering.
A heavy load is just as likely to fall as a light load and many crashes resulting from a loose load occur at low speeds within a short distance of where the trip started.
Along with the danger posed to other road users, unsecured loads can also lead to fines (even if they don’t come loose).
There are three types of risk categories, with varying fines, and the penalties differ between regular drivers and companies.
An unsecured load that doesn’t involve danger to a person, or the risk of damage to property or the environment, is classified as a ‘minor risk breach.’
The penalty for this is up to $242 for an individual and up to $1209 for a company.
An unsecured load that poses a danger to people, property or the environment is classified as a ‘substantial risk breach.’ This carries a penalty of up to $645 for individuals and $3224 for a company.
An unsecured load that causes harm to people or damage to property or the environment is classified as a ‘severe risk breach.’
In these instances, individuals and companies are taken to court.
Some tips on how to carry a load safely include choose a suitable vehicle for your load; position and place the load so that it is secure; select suitable restraint equipment; you may need to adjust your headlights when your vehicle is loaded; drive carefully and regularly check your restraints.