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SIZE AND WEIGHT

Unsecured semi loads dangerously common

On Nov. 11, 2005, a large roll of aluminum fell off a semi-trailer traveling on Interstate 35 and into the path of a pick up, instantly killing two passengers.

A 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS investigation reveals just how often Minnesota State Troopers ticket semi drivers for unsecured or unsafe loads.

Many of the drivers who were pulled over by state troopers thought their cargo was heavy enough to be secured on its own, or simply didn’t make the effort to secure it.

One flatbed Minnesota State Patrol Inspectors showed us had tanks and a vat apparently filled with some type of ashphalt.

“Carrying hazmat – propane – hot tar – the possibilities [for accidents] are endless,” said the trooper.

The trooper issued a long list of citations, and prohibited the truck from being on the roads.

Another truck had overturned wheelbarrows that were not tied down, and yet another had a Bobcat that only gravity was holding in place.

“Where are the chains that hold this on,” inquired the trooper. “This thing hits you, it’s going to do something bad.”

Troopers say that when they do a saturation inspection, they take 80 percent of the trucks they pull over out of service.

Troopers say educating drivers is the only way to lower that number.