Many embrace the holiday spirit by volunteering at food banks, donating presents to toy drives, or supporting a cause close to their heart. These acts of kindness make a real difference. But there’s another simple yet impactful way to give back and keep our communities safe this season: ensuring all items are properly secured to your vehicle, which will ultimately help prevent roadside disasters.

Taking a few extra minutes to secure your load can save lives. In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 68,466 crashes, 17,203 injuries, and 895 fatalities caused by unsecured loads on the road. Arizona’s highways are already bustling with vehicles carrying large items year-round, and the holiday rush brings added risks with Christmas trees, gifts and festive décor in tow. Without proper precautions, these items can become dangerous—and potentially deadly—road hazards.

Don’t Trash Arizona and the Maricopa Association of Governments are here to help you keep the roads a cheery place, so loved ones can safely make it home for the holidays. Follow these essential tips to properly secure your seasonal cargo:

• Call 9-1-1 to report road hazards: It’s okay to call 9-1-1 for dangerous road debris! You can help prevent serious crashes by alerting personnel about a dangerous item on highways. If you notice a road hazard, report it to protect other travelers.
• Tie it down: When transporting your tree, strap it down securely. For trees, it's easier to tie down the branches first. Once the tree is tightly bound, drivers should strap it directly to their vehicles using strong rope, bungee cords, or netting. The tree, like any large load, must withstand winds of up to 70 miles per hour while on the freeway. Large loads, such as appliances and packages, should also be securely strapped down. For a step-by-step visual guide, check out this instructional video and visit our website for best practices for securing large loads.
• Cover it up: It’s recommended for drivers to cover the Christmas tree or other delicate and large items with a sturdy tarp, canvas or netting to ensure smaller clippings and branches do not fly off while traveling, especially in precarious weather conditions. Don’t forget to secure the tarp to the vehicle so it, too, does not become litter!
• Point it in the right direction: Arranging your items on the vehicle has more of an impact than you might think. To avoid added headwind, which may loosen the branches of a tree or the wrapping on a present, drivers should arrange the tree so that the stump end faces the front of the vehicle. Trees that extend past the vehicle’s bumper should have a reflective or red flag tied to the end to alert other drivers on the road.
• Double check: Loads can shift or become loose during transit. Remember to check the load frequently during longer drives to ensure the top, back, and sides are all secured throughout the trip. In addition to strong winds, the load should be able to withstand sudden braking or hitting bumps along the way.
• Ask yourself: After you have secured your load, ask yourself: "Is there any chance of debris falling off of my vehicle?" or "What would happen to my load if I had to brake suddenly or if I hit a bump?" and, most importantly: "Would I want my loved ones driving behind my vehicle?" Then adjust your cargo as necessary.

Let’s work together to make this season brighter and safer for everyone! To learn more about our mission of keeping Arizona highways litter free, visit our website donttrashaz.org.