Do you know how to ensure the cargo on your truck is properly secured?
“Safety outside the vehicle is just as important as safety inside – and it’s every driver’s responsibility to ensure all cargo is safely secured,” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says.
Data from NHTSA shows that, each year, about 850 people are killed and almost 19,000 more are injured in crashes involving objects in the road.
Here’s how NHTSA says to safely secure cargo:
- Use rope, netting or straps to tie it down.
- Tie large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer.
- Cover the load with a sturdy tarp or netting.
- Double-check the cargo to make sure that it’s secure.
- Before setting out, NHTSA recommends asking these questions:
- Is there any chance of the cargo falling off?
- Can the cargo be blown off in high winds?
- Is the load secured on all sides of the vehicle?



