MoDOT blames ‘commercial vehicles’ in roadside litter crackdown

The Missouri Department of Transportation will begin a crackdown on roadside litter beginning in June. 

MoDOT says it will begin the increased enforcement on highways in the Kansas City metro area sometime in June, but has not yet given a specific date. MoDOT has already mailed letters to all of the trash-hauling companies in the area to alert them of the increased enforcement around roadside litter.

“MoDOT doesn’t place trash along the highways, but we are tasked with removing it,” MoDOT Kansas City District Engineer Chris Redline said. “Based on MoDOT’s observations, we believe a significant amount of trash along the highways comes from loaded and unloaded commercial vehicles. Often, unloaded trailers aren’t covered, and residual trash blows out.”

“It is the goal of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to ensure the safety of each motorist traveling along Missouri’s highways,” said MSHP Capt. Steven Wilhoit. “The dislodging of any item from a vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer creates a significant risk of property damage or, even worse, a motor vehicle crash. Missouri law requires all motorists to properly secure and/or cover any material(s) within the bed of a pickup, dump truck, or any trailer.”

The Missouri State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies will be enforcing proper load securement laws and regulations in an attempt to keep trash from flying onto the highway, reported 9 ABC.

The Missouri Department of Transportation spent $13.6 million to clear litter from highways in 2023, and expects to spend about the same amount this year.