Washington’s litter prevention campaign aims to curb roadside debris

Yearly, greater than 12 million kilos of litter finally ends up on Washington’s roadways and as much as 40% – nearly 5 million kilos – comes from unsecured cargo blowing out of vehicles and automobiles. This particles isn’t simply ugly, it’s harmful to motorists, individuals who stroll, bike or roll, and roadside staff. To acknowledge this, Washington is marking Nationwide Safe Your Load Day on June 6, which commemorates individuals whose lives have been impacted or taken by unsecured masses and encourages drivers to correctly safe their masses each time they drive.

“Washington is probably the most stunning state within the nation, and to maintain it that means all of us must do our half to maintain litter and particles off our public areas,” stated Washington Gov. Jay Inslee. “Unsecured masses are a menace to our security and to the well being of our fellow Washingtonians. We’re reminding each driver in regards to the significance of securing their cargo and preserving Washington litter free.”

In the present day marks the primary anniversary of the We Preserve Washington Litter Free marketing campaign, which initially centered on alerting Washingtonians in regards to the important security and environmental impacts of unsecured automobile masses. The statewide Safe Your Load for Safer Roads program is a partnership between the Washington State Division of Ecology, the Washington State Patrol, the Washington State Division of Transportation and the Washington Visitors Security Fee aimed toward growing security and decreasing roadside litter.

“Final yr, particles on highways brought about about 300 visitors crashes and 30 accidents in Washington. Thus far this yr, we’ve additionally seen two identified fatalities associated to unsecured masses. That is devastating as a result of these crashes have been all preventable,” stated Sgt. Darren Wright, a public info officer with the Washington State Patrol. “It’s so vital to correctly safe your load earlier than driving. Something that flies off a shifting automobile is harmful, and may even be lethal. To be able to save lives, each driver in Washington must safe their automobile load each time they drive.”

As part of the annual marketing campaign, state troopers are conducting emphasis patrols throughout the state for 3 consecutive weekends, beginning June 10 and ending June 26. Drivers can get pulled over and ticketed if their masses usually are not correctly secured in accordance with state legislation. Fines for littering and unsecured masses vary from $50 to $5,000. If an merchandise falls out and causes bodily hurt or property harm, the driving force may additionally face jail time. The biggest fines are for “lit particles” — primarily cigarettes — and gadgets that may trigger automobile crashes.

Roadside litter is an costly and unrelenting drawback in Washington. The Washington State Division of Transportation and Division of Ecology collectively spend $8.5 million a yr on efforts to scrub the state’s roads and highways. Final yr, Ecology-funded pickup packages spent greater than 125,000 hours amassing almost 5.2 million kilos of litter and cleansing almost 22,000 miles of street. In simply the primary 4 months of 2022, WSDOT’s Undertake-a-Freeway volunteers and upkeep crews have already discovered and eliminated 136 tons of litter and particles from roadways and rights of means.

“We’re pleased with the work we’ve performed with native authorities and state companies to reduce the dangerous environmental impacts of roadside litter, however the reality is that extra litter is deposited yearly than we are able to decide up,” stated Amber Smith, statewide litter prevention coordinator on the Washington Division of Ecology. “Litter from unsecured automobile masses impacts each nook of Washington and may comprise dangerous chemical substances or trigger accidents to wildlife, in addition to individuals. Please, assist maintain our roads secure, stunning and litter free by ensuring your cargo is correctly secured earlier than driving.” 

Tarps, straps and cargo nets are simple and efficient options for securing many sorts of automobile masses and stopping street hazards. The Washington State Division of Ecology is piloting cargo internet giveaway occasions in King, Thurston and Yakima counties in June. As much as 40 statewide retail ironmongery shop companions can even share greatest practices and merchandise to soundly safe masses.  

Along with unsecured masses, the We Preserve Washington Litter Free marketing campaign focuses on further littering behaviors in a number of sub-campaigns. Statewide promoting for the 2022 Safe Your Load for Safer Roads marketing campaign runs via June. 

The general public can help cleansing up roadside litter via WSDOT’s Undertake-a-Freeway volunteer program. Anybody concerned with becoming a member of can study extra on the Undertake-a-Freeway program webpage.

Extra info

In regards to the Washington State Division of Ecology

The mission of the Division of Ecology is to guard, protect and improve Washington’s surroundings and promote the sensible administration of our air, land and water for the advantage of present and future generations.

Media Contact: Amber Smith, (360) 407-6057, Amber.Smith@ecy.wa.gov

In regards to the Washington State Patrol

The Washington State Patrol is a premier legislation enforcement company made up of devoted professionals who work arduous to enhance the standard of life for motorists and forestall the pointless lack of life every day.

Media Contact: Sgt. Darren Wright, 360-239-0619, Darren.Wright@wsp.wa.gov

In regards to the Washington State Division of Transportation

The Washington State Division of Transportation is the steward of a multimodal transportation system and chargeable for guaranteeing that individuals and items transfer safely and effectively. Along with constructing, sustaining and working the state freeway system, WSDOT is chargeable for the state ferry system, and works in partnership with others to keep up and enhance native roads, railroads and airports, in addition to to assist energetic transportation choices, comparable to public transportation, bicycles and pedestrian packages.

Media Contact: Barbara LaBoe, (360) 705-7080, Barbara.Laboe@wsdot.wa.gov

In regards to the Washington Visitors Security Fee

The Washington Visitors Security Fee (WTSC) is our state’s designated freeway security workplace. We share a imaginative and prescient with quite a few different state and native public companies. That imaginative and prescient is to cut back visitors fatalities and critical accidents to zero by 2030. The WTSC Director is the Governor’s Freeway Security Consultant, which is a chosen place every state is required to have to be able to qualify for federal visitors security funding.

Media Contact: Erica Stineman, (360) 688-0189, EStineman@wtsc.wa.gov