Covered Loads
Transporting unsecured loads is unsafe and illegal. All loads of debris must be covered with a secured tarp, cargo net, tie downs, or placed in a closed container so that no material can fall or blow out. Millions of dollars are spent yearly to remove trash that blows or is thrown from vehicles and truck beds. About 25,000 accidents can be attributed to roadway debris annually, throughout the nation.
It is illegal in North Carolina to haul an improperly secured load. Penalties for littering include up to a $2,000 fine, community service work and one point on your driver license upon conviction. Section 1. G.S. 14-399 – When litter is blown, scattered, spilled, thrown or placed from a vehicle or watercraft, the operator thereof shall be presumed to have committed this offense.
In addition to the above, any vehicle without a covered load will not be turned away, but will be subject to the following fees in addition to current fees for landfill use:
Citizens are also responsible for keeping North Carolina roadways clean. Remember, if you don’t secure your loads you may be contributing to the litter along our roadways as debris may blow out due to wind drafts caused by higher speeds. Don’t rely on the weight of an item to keep it in place during travel, secure the item.