LIHU'E – The Kaua'i Police Department Patrol Services Bureau has designated March as Truck Loading Safety Awareness Month.

"We're hoping that by focusing on truck-loading safety, truck drivers and other motorists will be reminded that proper loading of any vehicle is very important to preventing accidents," Kaua'i Police Capt. Ale Quibilan said in a press release.

For example, loads that are not secured or covered properly, such as trucks carrying gravel or rocks, can cause substantial damage, Quibilan said.

In addition, unsecured or improperly covered loads often lead to spills and/or trash left along the roadways, said Quibilan.

"When there's trash on the roadway, it not only presents a hazardous situation to motorists, but it also looks bad and certainly isn't good for the environment," Quibilan said.

People who use their personal vehicles to transport large items also put the public at risk if these items extend beyond the sides or rear of their vehicles, added Quibilan.