20-lb. object = 1,000-lb. impact: NMDOT urges drivers to secure loads
SANTA FE — A 20-pound toolbox falling from a pickup truck becomes a 1,000-pound projectile when it strikes another vehicle at highway speeds, the equivalent of a six-person hot tub crashing through a windshield.
This scenario plays out tragically across America’s roads every day. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, about 730 people are killed and 17,000 more are injured annually because of road debris, with 81% of these preventable crashes involving unsecured loads on everyday passenger vehicles.
As families prepare for weekend trips ahead of National Secure Your Load Day on Friday, June 6, the New Mexico Department of Transportation is urging drivers to take 30 seconds to properly secure their cargo.
“Securing cargo isn’t just the law, it’s the difference between a safe trip and a tragedy,” said Transportation Secretary Ricky Serna. “That debris hitting your windshield could just as easily be hitting someone else’s family.”
The physics are unforgiving: any object falling from a vehicle traveling at 55 mph strikes with devastating force. Beyond the human cost, unsecured loads create traffic disruptions, property damage, and contribute to the $10 million NMDOT spends annually cleaning debris from New Mexico roadways.
Secure your load in five steps
Before hitting the road this weekend, drivers should:
- Cover the entire load with a sturdy tarp or netting
- Tie down cargo with rope, netting or heavy-duty straps
- Secure large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer
- Avoid overloading vehicles beyond their capacity
- Double-check that loads are secured at the back, sides, and top
The 30-second safety check
Before driving away, ask yourself: Would I feel safe driving behind my own vehicle? What would happen to my load if I had to brake suddenly or hit a bump? Is there any chance debris could fall or blow out?
If the answer to any question raises doubt, take time to re-secure your load. Those extra minutes could save lives, including your own.