Sims: Secure loads to prevent more traffic tragedies

Countywide campaign includes public education, stiff fines

Lives will be saved and accidents prevented by a new King County emphasis on ensuring people have safely secured items carried atop cars, in truck beds and in trailers.

Maria Federici, who was horribly injured and blinded by a piece of furniture that fell off a trailer and pierced her car's windshield before striking her in the face, joined King County Executive Ron Sims today to launch the county's "Secure Your Load" campaign.

"This is about caring enough for others that you take a few minutes to securely fasten everything that you are hauling," Sims said. "We are thankful that Maria survived her tragic accident and has the courage to be a voice to help prevent other accidents caused by flying debris."

Sims noted that there have been four fatalities and numerous serious injuries on Washington state roads in just the past six months because of unsecured loads.

"We want King County – indeed, all of Washington – to be a safer place to travel," he said.

"It's wonderful to be here to hear this," Federici said, adding that drivers who are transporting a load should secure it as if a relative was traveling behind them.

"It doesn't take a lot of time or money – it just takes some compassion. I can't understand how people aren't taking just a few moments to make sure their loads are safe," she said.

Sims and Federici were joined today by representatives from the Washington State Department of Ecology, Washington State Patrol and the King County Sheriffs Office.

Federici's mother, Robin Abel, praised lawmakers and public agencies for increasing the awareness of what can happen when a load goes unsecured.

"The few moments you take to secure your load may save someone's life," she said.

King County Prosecutor Norm Maleng called the recent passage of unsecured load laws and increased fines and fees "justice outside of the courtroom."

"I'm so proud of Executive Sims and King County departments who came forward to take Maria Federici's story to the next step – public prevention," Maleng said.

Beginning Saturday, the King County Sheriff's Office and Washington State Patrol will start a two-week unsecured load emphasis patrol program. Law enforcement officials said a driver with an unsecured load can receive a ticket for $194. If an item falls from a vehicle and causes an injury, the driver can face a gross misdemeanor charge, a fine of up to $5,000 and up to one year in prison.

Staff at King County Solid Waste Division disposal facilities have been distributing brochures on securing loads to customers since February. Vehicles arriving at solid waste transfer stations with unsecured loads will be charged a fee of $3, $5, or $10 – depending on vehicle size.

Sims has also sent a memo to all King County department and division directors reminding them that county employees are responsible for securing their loads while transporting materials for work, and that training and supplies are provided for employees' use.

"We are going to take an aggressive stance in enforcing these laws," said Washington State Patrol Captain Stephen Burns. Two dozen WSP troopers will be focusing on unsecured loads during the upcoming emphasis campaign, Burns said.

The King County Sheriff's Office Chief Denise Turner said deputies would be teaming up with state troopers to enforce secured load laws.

"The consequences for anything less than a no-tolerance policy are too severe," she said. "The monetary fines are significant, the risk of injury or death of significant, and jail time is a possibility."

The fine for failing to properly secure a load is $194, even if nothing falls out! If something escapes from a vehicle or trailer and causes property damage, the driver is subject to misdemeanor charges. If something falls out and causes bodily injury, the driver is subject to gross misdemeanor charges, which could result in a $5,000 fine or one year in jail.

More information on the "Secure Your Load" campaign is available at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/pubs/0507028.pdf on the Internet.