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Washington State Patrol troopers to perform unsecured load emphasis patrols this weekend

The Washington State Patrol will be conducting a “Secure Your Load” emphasis patrol statewide starting Friday and ending Sunday.

The patrols are meant to bring awareness and help keep roadways safe by reducing serious injury and fatality collisions, the State Patrol said.

If property damage or injuries are caused as a result of an unsecured load, penalties could range from a $228 citation all the way to criminal charges, law enforcement officials said.

In 2017, 170 collisions were caused by unsecured loads on Washington State highways, and 16 ended with injuries, according to the State Patrol.

As people begin spring cleaning and take unwanted items to landfills, officials are asking drivers to take extra time to secure their loads because doing so could save a life, the agency says.

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