RULES OF THE ROAD LEARN THE LAW SERIES 21

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It's that time of year!!!! Christmas is right around the corner, and if you are a "real tree" family, this one is for you! Many of you love the smell and look of a real tree in your home at Christmas time - but getting it there can be dangerous if it is not secured to your vehicle!

Millions of drivers face expensive damage, fines, and even serious injury to themselves and others, all because they improperly secured Christmas trees to their vehicles.

Road debris – which could include objects like Christmas trees that fly off cars, landing on the road or on other cars – was responsible for more than 200,000 crashes that resulted in 39,000 injuries and 500 deaths over the past four years.(*AAA)

Here are six good tips to remember before you head to cut down the perfect tree!:

  1. Use the right vehicle - It’s best to transport a Christmas tree on top of a vehicle equipped with a roof rack.
  2. Use quality tie downs - Bring strong rope or nylon ratchet straps to secure the tree to your vehicle’s roof rack. Avoid the lightweight twine offered by many tree lots.
  3. Point the trunk towards the front - Always place the tree on a roof rack or in a pickup bed with the bottom of the trunk facing the front of the vehicle.
  4. Tie the tree down - Secure it at its bottom, center and top.
  5. Give it the tug test - Before you leave the lot, give the tree several strong tugs from various directions to make sure it is secured in place and will not blow away.
  6. Drive slowly and easily - Higher speeds create significant airflow that can damage the tree and challenge even the best tie-down methods.

27-35-105. Projecting loads on passenger vehicles

No passenger-type vehicle shall be operated on any highway with any load carried thereon extending beyond the line of the fenders on the left side of the vehicle nor extending more than six inches (6") beyond the line of the fenders on the right side.

27-35-106. Extension of load beyond vehicle front

The load upon any vehicle operated alone, or the load upon the front vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not extend more than three feet (3') beyond the front wheels of the vehicle or the front bumper of the vehicle if it is equipped with such a bumper.

Source: ASP Staff & Learn The Law Inspired by NEA Report

https://neareport.com/2017/10/17/state-police-how-to-use-the-left-turn-lane/

*Excerpt from: #learnthelawtuesdays

OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD

Arkansas State Police Highway Safety Offce