It mightn’t be the first thing that springs to mind when road safety is mentioned, but when carrying a load on a vehicle, transport regulations require it to be loaded safely and properly secured to prevent endangering you, your passengers, other road users, or damaging property including roadways and other infrastructure.

Regulations set out the maximum dimensions (height, length, width) for your vehicle (with trailer if applicable) plus its load, the maximum weight a vehicle or trailer can carry, and the maximum load projection (front, rear and side overhangs).

There’s also a requirement to secure your load in such a way as to not make the vehicle unstable or unsafe, and to ensure the load can’t dislodge or fall from the vehicle.

It will be up to you to decide on the most suitable securing method for the load and vehicle in question. Also, don’t obscure the lights, number plates or reflectors with any load.

Failure to comply with laws attract on the spot fines, and should a crash, property or personal injury arise, then the penalties and legal implications could be far more significant.

For specific information about projecting load limits and dimensions applicable to your vehicle, consult the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads brochure, ‘Projecting loads’, on its website.

Cargo nets can be a versatile and easy way of securing light loose items but won’t suit all loads.

They aren’t mandatory but are acceptable in the right situations.

A tarp secured in place with suitable restraints can be an effective way of preventing vegetation from blowing or falling off a ute or trailer.

Rope of suitable type (compliant with AS/NZS 4345) and load capacity may be used for light loads.

However, the ability to apply adequate tension and the user’s ability to tie appropriate knots can be major limiting factors.

Some rope types aren’t suited to securing loads due to their capacity and the likelihood of knot slippage.

Ratchet straps with suitable load rating and marked accordingly are low-cost, relatively easy to use and are much preferred to rope.

It’s wise to recheck load restraints during the trip in case re-tensioning is required due to load settling or shifting in any way.

This is particularly important with vegetation and other compressible materials.

Information to further assist you understand how to go about safely securing your load can be found in the Load restraint guide for light vehicles on the National Transport Commission website, with a simplified version available TMR’s website.

Remember, even on a short trip your load could be damaged and create a serious safety hazard for you or other road users.

Don’t risk it, obey the rules, load safely.

If there’s any doubt, consider having the load delivered by a professional.

It could be safer and cheaper in the long run.