8-01-24 Uncovered Truck Loads and the Penalties
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 your load must be covered while transporting cargo on any highway. Most of the litter on or near our roadways is not intentionally thrown, but rather blown out of open-bed pickup trucks, causing a road hazard or a traffic accident. Anytime you travel with a loaded truck bed, trailer, or roof rack, make sure to secure your load properly:
1. Tying down the load with rope or straps.
2. Tying large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer.
3. Covering the entire load with a sturdy tarp (tied down) or cargo netting.
After tying down a load, double-check to ensure nothing can slide, fall, or shift out of your vehicle. Check your car manual to make sure you aren’t overloading your vehicle.
Penalties: (§291C-131) “A COURT DATE WILL BE ISSUED” 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.
