Utah drivers could pay a steep price for failing to tie down their gear

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Utah drivers face fines for unsecured loads, risking safety and causing crashes.

Troopers emphasize securing loads to prevent accidents and reduce $3M cleanup costs.

TAYLORSVILLE — The Utah Department of Public Safety said drivers throughout the state still aren't getting the message to tie down equipment and bulky cargo, even though that simple step can save lives.

"Think of a motorcyclist," said Jason Mettmann, with the department's highway safety office. "Think of a small vehicle that has to impact that big box or the refrigerator or whatever falls off your truck. They don't have a lot of reaction time if you're going 70 mph."

Debris falling from trucks and other vehicles causes hundreds of crashes a year. In 2024, it was responsible