Secure That Load!
Roadway debris – and the accidents it can cause – has become an increasing problem in metro Atlanta. And according to the Georgia DOT, 85-90 percent of road trash comes from unsecured loads, with half of that coming out of the back of pickup trucks. Unfortunately, items such as ladders, lumber, and clothing have become common sights on busy roads and highways around the city.
While 25 percent of the trash is just plain litter from fast food items, larger items can be dangerous and deadly. Please do not depend on the weight of an item in your truck to keep it in place! Unexpected sudden stops, potholes, turns, and even the wind from your travel speed can wreak havoc on any load. “It’s like a mini-hurricane in the back of your truck when you are going down the interstate,” says David Studstill, chief engineer of the GA DOT.
Please give special attention to mattresses, large appliances, lumber, tools, ladders, landscaping stones and concrete materials like cinder blocks. Secure them tightly with heavy binding or rope. Place the heaviest items as close to the cab as possible. Smaller, lighter items such as half-full paint cans or empty containers should be covered with a tarp or canvas; make sure the covering is pulled taut and tied down to prevent the wind from getting underneath it.
Even benign litter like fast-food take out bags and containers can be dangerous on the highway, since people often slow down and swerve to avoid hitting anything unidentified in the road. And whatever kind of trash it is, be aware that it costs all of us money. “$14 million of taxpayer money is spent every year on picking up litter,” David says. “It’s terribly expensive.”
If you happen to spot roadway debris in metro Atlanta, dial star-DOT on your cellphone. The call goes to DOT’s Traffic Management Center, which is staffed 24/7.
– Beth Rice
