Year-To-Date 2026 Unsecured Load Crash Statistics (as of 02/24/2026):
Unsecured Load-Related Crashes: 14
Unsecured Load-Related Deaths: 0
Total Fatal Crashes Statewide: 24
Total Fatalities: 25
- On average, UHP troopers across the state respond to more than 70 calls per day involving road debris, or more than 25,000 calls per year.
- UDOT reports that the time the department devotes to cleaning up roadside debris and litter is substantial. Current annual costs for litter removal are over $2.9 million.
- The largest age groups are drivers ages 25-29 and 40-44.
- 65% of fatal crashes within the past five years involved male drivers.
| Unsecured Load-Related Crashes & Fatalities, Utah, 2020-2026 | |||||||||
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Totals | 5 Yr Avg |
| Total Crashes | 768 | 805 | 755 | 740 | 700 | 709 | 14 | 4491 | 741.8 |
| Total Suspected Serious Injury Crashes | 7 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 44 | 7.4 |
| Total Fatalities | 2 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 3.4 |
| Total Fatal Crashes | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 3.2 |
| Source: Highway Safety Office, Utah Department of Public Safety | |||||||||
How to Secure a Load:
Securing a load properly only takes a few minutes and basic supplies.
- Place lighter items below heavier items to keep them in place. Securely fasten the heavy items directly to your vehicle.
- Tie down items using rope, netting, straps, or chains. Securely fasten large items directly to your vehicle.
- Add extra protection by covering the entire load with a tarp or netting. Ensure that any covering is securely tied down.
- Don’t overload weight in vehicles or trailers.
- Double-check that the load is secure and conduct a thorough walk-around.
- Ropes, straps, and netting are load-securing devices. Speed, weight, and gravity are insufficient to make your load safe.
BACKGROUND:
Effective 5/7/2025, Utah Code 72-7-409. Loads on vehicles — Limitations — Confining, securing, and fastening load required — Penalty.
(6)(a) Any person suspected of operating a vehicle with an unsecured load on a highway may be issued a warning.
(b) Any person who violates this section is guilty of:
(i) an infraction, if the violation creates a hazard but does not lead to a motor vehicle accident;
(ii) a class B misdemeanor, if the violation creates a hazard that leads to a motor vehicle accident; or
(iii) a class A misdemeanor, if the violation creates a hazard that leads to a motor vehicle accident that results in the serious bodily injury or death of a person.
(c) A person who violates a provision of this section shall be fined not less than:
(i) $200 for a violation; or
(ii) $500 for a second or subsequent violation within six years of a previous violation of this section.
(d) A person who violates a provision of this section while operating a commercial vehicle as defined in Section 72-9-102 shall be fined:
(i) not less than $500 for a violation; or
(ii) $1,000 for a second or subsequent violation within six years of a previous violation of this section.
–
National Secure Your Load Day aims to raise awareness about the dangers of unsecured loads and educate citizens on the proper methods for securing items in their vehicles and trailers. The Utah Department of Public Safety is committed to reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities through education and enforcement.
Learn more about the national-level campaign on the Secure Your Load website.
In 2016, Robin Abel launched the Secure Your Load safety campaign to raise awareness that federal funds are available for public education on load securement and to encourage states to educate their citizens. Secure Your Load also aims to reduce litter on roads. As a nation, we spend approximately $11.5 billion to clean our roads, and it is estimated that 20-40% of road pollution comes from unsecured loads.
Education and law enforcement have notably reduced deaths, injuries, and property damage. Still, Robin believes that while nationwide state patrols and police are doing much to help, it takes all of us to make a difference and keep our families safe on the roads.
Source: Highway Safety Office, Utah Department of Public Safety
Media Contact: Jason Mettmann, Communications Manager – Highway Safety Office
[email protected] 801-664-7899