What's happening
This bill requires commercial vehicles transporting loose substances to use approved covers and splash guards to prevent material from escaping during transport.
Why it matters
Expands safety requirements for commercial vehicles. The bill broadens who must comply, applying new standards specifically to commercial operators rather than just any open truck or trailer. This means more vehicles—especially those involved in business operations—must adhere to stricter transport rules.
Targets both airborne and road-thrown debris. By mandating both covers (to contain loose material) and splash guards (to prevent substances being thrown from wheels), the bill addresses multiple forms of road pollution and hazards, reducing risks to other drivers, pedestrians, and nearby property.
Gives regulatory agencies more authority. The commissioner of transportation will have explicit power to set detailed standards and approve specific types of covers and splash guards, allowing for updates as technology or best practices evolve.
Exempts agricultural transport. Vehicles carrying "farm products" are not subject to these new rules, balancing road safety concerns with the needs of the agricultural sector.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Secure Loose Loads Law
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
52
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 4, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. GANTT -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the transportation of loose substances in open vehicles
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 380-a of the vehicle and traffic law, as added by chapter 418 of the laws of 1975 and subdivision 1 as amended by chapter 369 of the laws of 1987, is amended to read as follows:
§ 380-a. Certain vehicles engaged in the transportation of loose cargo. 1. It shall be unlawful [to operate on any public highway any open truck or trailer being utilized for the transportation of any loose substances, unless said truck or trailer has a cover, tarpaulin or other device of a type and specification approved by the commissioner of transportation which completely closes in the opening on the said truck or trailer while said truck or trailer shall be so operated, so as to prevent the falling of any such substances therefrom. However, if the load is arranged so that no loose substance can fall from or blow out of such truck, the covering is not necessary.] for a commercial operator of a motor vehicle to transport loose substances in an open vehicle without the use of a mechanism, approved by the commissioner of transportation, to prevent loose substances from becoming dislodged or removed from such vehicle during transport.
2. It shall be unlawful for a commercial operator of a motor vehicle to transport loose substances in a vehicle without the use of splash guards, approved by the commissioner of motor vehicles, to prevent substances from being thrown by such vehicle during travel.
[2.] 3. The commissioner of transportation is authorized to make necessary rules and regulations to carry into effect the provisions of this section, applying such provisions to specific conditions and loads
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02028-01-7
A. 52 2
and prescribing means, methods and practices to effectuate such provisions.
[3.] 4. The provisions of this section shall not apply to motor vehicles, trailers and semitrailers conveying "farm products" as defined in section two of the agriculture and markets law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect one year after it shall have become a law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.