Secure Your Load!

Several serious accidents in the Puget Sound area have been the result of debris flying off other vehicles.

Secure Your Load for Safer Roads Snohomish County cares about the safety of its citizens, a cleaner environment and better use of our tax dollars. Several serious accidents in the Puget Sound area have been the result of debris flying off other vehicles. A properly secured load can mean the difference between life and death, and an environment to be proud of or littered with debris. Help us to be part of the solution, rather than the problem. All loads arriving at any county solid waste facility shall be covered or secured so as to prevent any solid waste being transported from unintentionally falling or being blown out of the vehicle.

Fees Strictly Enforced ($5 and $10)

A new Secured Loads campaign is in effect in an effort to encourage properly secured loads. Beginning January 1, 2007, fees will be strictly enforced for vehicles arriving at any Snohomish County Solid Waste or Recycling facility with an unsecured load according to State Law: RCW 46.61.655  RCW 70.93.097 and County Ordinance: 7.41.042

Solid Waste facility staff have been trained to identify properly secured loads, and will determine when a fee will be charged. No warnings will be given for vehicles with improperly secured loads.

• $5—Vehicles up to 8,000 lbs gross vehicle weight (passenger cars and pick-ups)
• $10—Vehicles over 8,000 lbs gross vehicle weight
  
  

Some Questions to Ask Yourself

1. Is there ANY chance of debris falling (or blowing) out of my vehicle?
2. Would I feel safe if I were driving behind MY vehicle?
3. Would I want MY loaded vehicle driving through MY neighborhood?
4. What would happen to MY load if I had to brake suddenly or if I hit a bump?
5. Do I need to drive slower than I normally do?
6. Is my load secured at the back and on the sides AND top?
7. Did I double-check my load to make sure it is secured?

Properly Secure Your Loads

• Tie down with rope, bungee cords, netting, or straps. Tie large items directly to your vehicle.
• Lighter goes lower. Put lighter weight things at the bottom of the load.
• Don't overload. Keep material level with truck bed or trailer unless tied down, netted, or tarped.
• Always double-check your load.

Materials to Secure Your Load Tarps Netting Rope Straps Chains Bungee cords

Please Note

You may also be fined by local law enforcement if observed traveling on local and state roads with an unsecured load. State fines are currently $216 for transporting an unsecured load, and up to $5,000 and possibly jail time if an item falls off your vehicle and causes bodily injury. The fine for littering is $103 for something as small as a piece of paper and can go up to $5,000 for a bigger item such as a mattress or other piece of furniture.

More Information

Contact our office at 425-388-3425, press "0."
 

Photos of Properly Secured Loads

Secure Your Load Use netting, straps, rope, and bungee cords to tie down items. Tie large items directly to your vehicle. This load IS secured.	Cover Your Load This is a well-secured load. The tarp is covering the entire load and is strapped to the trailer.

Photos of Loads NOT Secured

Don't Overload The load in this pickup bed is well above the sides, top and back of the truck and lacks any means of being secured. Debris can easily fall or fly out of this overloaded pickup bed. This load is NOT secured.	Tarp or Net Needed Debris can easily blow out of the bed of this truck. Put lighter weight items at the bottom of the load. The load needs to be covered with a tarp or net. This load is NOT secured.
Don't Overload This truck is hauling only garbage bags and the load is below the sides of the truck. However, if the garbage bags contain lightweight materials, they could easily be sucked out of the vehicle at highway speed. Cover with netting or a tarp.	Inadequate Tie Downs & Trailer Overloaded Although this customer has used ropes to tie down part of the load, it still presents a hazard to other drivers. This trailer is overloaded and not adequately secured. Debris can easily fall or fly off this trailer. This is NOT a secured load.