Are there any laws in San Bernardino pertaining to the proper loading of trucks in order to prevent a crash?

Most large trucks traveling the highways in and around San Bernardino are transporting a significant amount of cargo. When this cargo is improperly loaded, there is a higher risk of an accident occurring. The vehicle’s weight may cause problems with balance, cargo may fall into the road, and the uneven weight distribution may make it difficult for a truck to stop if necessary. When accidents do occur, the results are often significant injuries, property damage, and sometimes even death. For these reasons, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration implemented specific laws and regulations that govern how cargo must be loaded on a truck.

Federal Regulations Relating to the Safe and Proper Loading of Large Trucks

What are some of the regulations that truck drivers must follow? The following is an overview:

• If the truck is transporting cargo that is likely to roll, it must be restrained by wedges, chocks, or cradles.
• If the truck is transporting commodity-specific cargo, such as logs, metal coils, concrete pipe, heavy vehicles, and automobiles, the driver must abide by specific securement requirements outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
• All cargo within the truck must be firmly secured by structures that are equipped to hold it. This includes using materials for cargo protection or inflatable bags used to fill space and prevent the cargo from shifting, as well as tie downs and shoring bars. This requirement also applies to cargo that is on top of a vehicle.
• Truck drivers must comply with minimum requirements for tie-down restraints as outlined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
• Truck drivers operating special-purpose vehicles must meet additional requirements. Special-purpose vehicles are those that carry items such as heavy machinery, steel or concrete beams, crane booms, and other objects that require special restraining systems.

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