A new campaign has been launched to encourage fleet managers to ensure vehicle loads are properly secured.

Every year in the UK, 4,000 successful prosecutions for unsafe loads are brought against drivers and operators.

Police investigating crashes in Britain in 2006 recorded overloaded or poorly loaded vehicle trailers as a contributing factor in 15 fatal crashes and 360 crashes in which someone was injured.

In an attempt to reduce these numbers, a free six-page information booklet is now being made available to fleet managers.

The booklet explains the dangers of unsafe loads, and the legal responsibilities of companies to ensure loads are safely secured.

It includes an overview of a variety of restraining equipment devices, and best practice case studies of companies who demonstrate risk assessment and training in relation to safe loading.

It also contains a advice sheet that can be copied for drivers, which gives advice on safe loading.

The booklet has been produced by the Fleet Safety Forum, a division of Brake, in partnership with Modul-System.

“Overloaded or poorly loaded vehicles cost lives,” said Chris Frost, Fleet Safety Forum officer at Brake.

“All fleet managers need to be aware of the dangers and carry out risk assessments for new vehicles, carefully choose load restraining equipment, and train and educate drivers on load safety policy and procedure.”

Free copies are available by emailing name, job title, company name, telephone number and address to admin@brake.org.uk or by calling 01484-559909.