Full Notification

 
Hawai‘i Police Department
Puna Community Policing
Officer Chad Sato
Phone: (808) 965-2716

Media Release

The Hawai’i Police Department is reminding the public that while transporting cargo on any public roadway or highway, your load must be covered. Most of the litter on or near our roadways is not intentionally thrown.  Rather, it has more often than not, been blown out of open-bed pickup trucks, thereby potentially causing a road hazard or a traffic collision.

Anytime you travel with a loaded truck bed, trailer, or roof rack, make sure to properly secure your load by:

• Tying down the load with rope or straps.
• Tying large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer.
• Covering the entire load with a sturdy tarp (which is then tied down) or netting.

After tying down a load double check to make sure that nothing can slide, fall, or shift out of your vehicle. Check your car manual to make sure you aren’t overloading your vehicle.

According to Hawai‘i Revised Statute 291C-13231, the penalties for first-time violators of the law can expect a fine of $250 to $500. A second violation, if cited within a year after the first, delivers a fine of between $500 and $750, plus suspension of the vehicle registration and/or license of the driver for at least five working days.