CHP’s commercial vehicle troopers call out driver for ‘loose cargo and no tiedowns’

California Highway Patrol (CHP) troopers are asking drivers to secure their loads after recently encountering a potentially dangerous haul.

On April 27, troopers with CHP’s Chowchilla River Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility, located in Le Grand, California, issued a reminder about load securement sparked by a driver who was observed “hauling equipment with loose cargo and no tiedowns in place. Items like chains, binders, dunnage, and boxed materials were free to shift or fall onto the roadway.”

CHP warned that unsecured cargo can result in out-of-service orders, citations, or even road hazards for other drivers.

“Remember: It only takes a second for unsecured cargo to become a deadly projectile,” troopers said.

Troopers used the incident to remind other drivers that under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations (49 CFR §393.100 & §393.110), all cargo must be:

•  Properly secured
• Immobilized to prevent shifting
• Equipped with the required number of tiedowns

During the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) International Roadcheck 2026 campaign taking place throughout North America from May 12 to 14, inspectors will be placing special emphasis on load securement violations.

Check out the flier below for load securement tips from the CVSA ahead of Roadcheck.