Road debris a constant challenge for troopers across Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah safety officials are reminding drivers that properly securing cargo can help prevent crashes, save lives and keep roads clear, as national Secure Your Load Day approaches this weekend.

The Utah Department of Public Safety hosted a demonstration Thursday in Taylorsville as part of the annual awareness campaign. Officials highlighted the dangers of unsecured loads, especially during the "100 deadliest days" on Utah roads, the period between Memorial Day and Labor Day when traffic fatalities often increase.

Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Zach Randall said debris calls are a constant challenge for troopers across the state.

"Each and every day, UHP troopers respond to about, on average, 70 calls per day for debris in the roadways, which adds up to over 25,000 per year," Randall said.

Officials explained that debris incidents can pull troopers away from other duties and create dangerous situations for drivers traveling at highway speeds.

The items found on Utah roads can range from small objects to large pieces of cargo.

"Barbecues, kayaks, coolers, anything like that. I mean, you name it, we've seen it dropped on the roadways," Randall said.

When debris lands on a roadway, troopers often must respond quickly to prevent secondary crashes. In some situations, traffic may need to be slowed or temporarily stopped while crews safely remove the hazard.

Officials encourage drivers to report dangerous roadway debris if they witness cargo falling from a vehicle.

"Maybe they are already losing some items from their vehicle. Call 911. That'll get you through to your nearest dispatch center that can relay that information to troopers nearby, and we can hopefully get that vehicle stopped or take whatever enforcement or preventative action we can," Randall said.

Drivers who fail to secure their loads can face fines and other penalties. Safety officials emphasized that taking a few extra minutes to secure cargo before driving is one of the simplest ways to prevent crashes and protect everyone on the road.

National Secure Your Load Day is observed each year to raise awareness about the dangers of unsecured cargo and encourage drivers to take responsibility for anything they transport.

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