The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) has issued a reminder to drivers hauling objects throughout the Land of Enchantment: make sure the load is secured.
This comes as the country recognized National Secure Your Load Day on Tuesday.
“It’s not only dangerous, it’s against the law to drop trash or debris from your vehicle," said New Mexico Transportation Secretary Ricky Serna in a release according to KRQE.
Drivers in New Mexico can be fined up to $300 if trash or debris is dropped onto state roads, KRQE reported. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration noted that about 730 deaths, nearly 17,000 injuries and roughly 90,000 reported incidents of property damage can be attributed to unsecured loads and road debris, each year, from 2016 to 2020.
NMDOT offered some load securing suggestions: These included strapping down loads with rope, netting or straps; covering it with a tarp, particularly when hauling loose items; avoiding overloading or trusting that the weight of the cargo can hold it in place; making sure animals are properly fastened; and always double checking the load to make sure it's secured and won't shift.
On the NMDOT's website, some details are offered about the state agency and its purpose, noting the department's focus on transit, rail, aviation and highways. "We’ve strengthened our commitment to traffic safety, environmental excellence, and complete planning, design and engineering services," the website said.
The Transportation Department says its mission is to provide a safe and efficient transportation system for people traveling throughout New Mexico, while also helping boost economic development and protecting the environment.
Its vision statement is to "set the standard for a safe, reliable and efficient transportation system" and the mission statement is to "provide a safe and efficient transportation system for the traveling public, while promoting economic development and preserving the environment of New Mexico."
