Motorists have been warned of the life-threatening consequences of dangerously loading their vehicles.
Road safety experts from Road Angel have offered drivers guidance on safely securing loads to avoid serious incidents of cargo hitting other vehicles and pedestrians at speed.
The incorrect securing of loads has caused thousands of incidents on UK roads putting all road users at risk and causing devastating traffic accidents.
In the UK, every year, there are 4000 successful prosecutions for unsafe loads brought against drivers and operators for failing to meet the correct standards.
The law is there to ensure that all loads are secured to protect the people in the vehicle, other road users, and pedestrians.
Under the Road Traffic Act 1991, it is an offence if the weight, position, or distribution of a vehicle’s load, or how it is secured, could potentially cause danger or injury to a person.
Any motorist caught disregarding the rules is breaking the law and could be fined £5000 and disqualified from driving.
If a vehicle is carrying something or has a load attached, which would be obviously dangerous to a careful and competent driver, they also face a dangerous driving charge.
The maximum penalty for this offence is two years imprisonment unless death is caused, in which case the driver faces ten years imprisonment.
Anyone transporting goods or responsible for loading a vehicle must be aware of the requirements to ensure it is safe before starting a journey.
Best practices include spreading loads evenly to keep the vehicle steady, ensuring that nothing can slide forwards or backward by arranging everything securely and using the correct safety equipment like rope hooks, edge protectors, and lashings.
Vehicles should never be overloaded as it makes them difficult to steer and control, tailgates and sideboards must be closed when possible, and overhang must be avoided or kept to a minimum.
When loading a vehicle, it must be considered if the load could topple or fall, become loose in transit or slide about, in which case load restraints are needed.
Gary Digva from Road Angel said: “The safety of loads on vehicles must be taken very seriously, and drivers must be aware of the risks.
“While there are legal requirements to ensure the safety of loads on vehicles, common sense is also needed to ensure that everything is secured to protect all road users and pedestrians.
“If loads are insecure and fall from vehicles, full carriageways can be forced to close, leading to traffic and damage to goods and infrastructure.
“The most dangerous consequence of poor load securing is that it can result in death or serious injury if it comes unattached or falls during a journey.
“Poorly-secured loads can also be extremely dangerous to those unloading vehicles as items could fall and injure them.
“Corporations that find themselves involved in load securing incidents also risk a damaged reputation, adverse publicity in the press, and a loss of contracts due to damaged goods.
“When loading vehicles, it is vital to comply with existing guidance and ensure that loads cannot slide, topple or fall to ensure that it doesn’t cause a danger to road users during transit.”
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