VANCOUVER – Clark County Solid Waste, a division of Public Works, is participating in the Washington State Department of Ecology’s “Secure Your Loads for Safer Roads” campaign throughout June. The effort focuses on reducing unsecured vehicle loads, which are a major source of roadside litter and a serious safety risk for drivers.
National Secure Your Load Day, observed on June 6, honors those who have been killed or injured in collisions caused by unsecured loads. In Washington, unsecured loads contribute to more than 300 crashes each year.
Unsecured loads are also a significant contributor to litter in Clark County. In 2025, more than 150,000 pounds of roadside litter were collected through Ecology’s Litter Crew and Clark County Public Works Adopt‑A‑Road programs.
Residents can help reduce litter and support cleaner roadways by participating in the Adopt‑A‑Road program. Volunteers choose an eligible road segment, complete a brief orientation and training, and commit to three cleanup events per year with friends, neighbors, family, or coworkers. Public Works provides supplies and the disposal of collected litter.
Preventing litter is even more effective than cleaning it up. Throughout the month, Clark County Green Neighbors will share tips, information and resources on the program’s Facebook and Instagram profiles about securing vehicle loads.
Statewide, the Department of Ecology will promote Secure Your Load messaging. The Washington State Patrol will increase enforcement throughout June. Fines for unsecured loads can be as high as $5,000 and may include jail time.
To help ensure loads are fully secured before driving, Clark County Solid Waste encourages residents to consider the following:
• Would I feel safe if my family were driving behind me? • Will my load stay secure if I brake suddenly, hit a bump, turn a corner, or drive uphill? • Could anything fall or blow out of my vehicle? • Will any items break down or disintegrate if it rains? • Did I double-check that everything is secured?
Learn more about proper load securement at clark.wa.gov/public-works/self-haul-options.
For information about road and park projects, closures, opportunities for community input, and more, residents can follow Public Works on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and Instagram and view information on Nextdoor. Residents can also visit clark.wa.gov/public-works to sign up for email notifications.
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Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.
