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May 1, 2024
Help us tell the story of why securing vehicle loads is important
(Port Orchard, WA)
Kitsap County invites you to share stories, photos, and dash cam videos that illustrate the importance of securing vehicle loads. The stories and images may be used in the Secure Your Load for Safer Roads campaign, which aims to convince drivers of trucks and trailers to always secure their vehicle cargo.
The annual campaign coincides with National Secure Your Load Day, observed every year on June 6 in Washington state and nationwide. The day raises awareness about the importance of load security and honors those who have been affected or lost their lives due to unsecured loads.
To share your story or images, please use the button below. Your shared content may be included in the campaign. The submission deadline is May 22, 2024.
Unsecured plywood collides with Poulsbo family's vehicle on Highway 3
Below is a story shared with Kitsap County for the 2023 Secure Your Load for Safer Roads campaign:
"On December 17, 2022, my family was headed home to Poulsbo after celebrating my daughter's fifth birthday. A truck hauling unsecured plywood merged onto Highway 3 in front of us. Plywood flew out, flipped up, and hit us head on. The driver said to us, 'I was only going a short distance from the hardware store to my house.' His decision to not secure his load resulted in a terrifying experience for my family and thousands of dollars in damages." - Samantha, a Poulsbo resident.
 Photo provided by Samantha. Image shows a white car with plywood lodged under the hood and a cracked headlight.
Driving with an unsecured load is against the law and puts drivers at risk
Each year in Washington, debris from unsecured vehicle loads cause more than 300 traffic crashes, 30 injuries, and up to 40% of roadside litter. In 2023, the Washington State Patrol received around 250 reports of dangerous road debris that likely fell from vehicles onto Kitsap County highways. Each could have resulted in a collision or worse.
Littering and driving with an unsecured vehicle load are against the law in Washington, with fines up to $5,000. If an item falls out and causes bodily harm or property damage, the driver could also face jail time.
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