A tractor and trailer carrying bales of silage was recently stopped by members of An Garda Siochana, because no straps had been applied to the load.
The Kilkenny Roads Policing Unit came across the tractor-trailer combination late last week, according to a post on the Garda Siochana Kilkenny/Carlow Facebook page.
The vehicle was “grounded” until straps could be applied and the load was deemed properly secured – a task which only took a few minutes to complete, the post on social media added.
Travelling with an unsecured load poses a number of risks for both the driver of the vehicle and other road users, according to the Road Safety Authority of Ireland (RSA).
- Loss of control of vehicle;
- Objects to fall on or hit people;
- Road obstruction or collision where a driver is required to swerve to avoid fallen items;
- Failure to secure loads properly may also result in financial losses due to damaged goods and vehicles, lost working time, clean up costs and legal costs.
The RSA insists that all loads must be secured, even if the vehicle is only travelling a short distance or at low speeds.
It added that a load shall not be carried on a vehicle on a public road in such a manner that part of the load is liable to fall on the road.
Meanwhile, a load must not drag on the surface of the road, so as to cause damage to the road or to be liable to cause danger, the RSA also warned.
Operators or drivers are advised to employ a load restraint method suitable to the load being carried.
Load security is not just the sole responsibility of the vehicle driver. Employers, vehicle owners, drivers as well as loading and unloading staff all have a role to play in ensuring loads are secure, the RSA said.