Transport:Securing cargo in private cars | |
Negligence in securing of cargo has serious legal consequences for the driver.
Basic laws of physics strongly suggest the securing of cargo. A mass at rest wants to remain at rest, a moving mass wants to continue moving. All bodies start moving simultaneously when affected by accelerating or retarding forces. The only difference between heavy and light goods lies in the destructive force on impact. Therefore: The cargo must not be able to move!
WHAT can be done?
Accelerating forces (positive and negative ones) act forwards, backwards, to both sides and vertically. The retaining device in the driving direction has to be designed in such a way that the cargo, which for example will move forwards during full application of the brake, will be held securely on the load floor. The same applies vice versa for starting. The cargo must be connected to the car. We can achieve this by two different methods: either by traction (less effective, not easy to calculate) or by a tight fit (very efficient!) Traction means that you increase the friction between the cargo and the load floor by inducing lashing forces. You can compare a tight fit to when you go on a holiday trip and there is absolutely no more room in the luggage compartment. Then the cargo just cannot move any more. Or you lash the cargo directly or by entwining it with appropriate lashing straps. In that case the cargo is also prevented from moving and well fixed. In modern vehicles a wheelbarrow is lashed to lashing points specifically designed by the manufacturer.
In practice the securing of cargo will be a combination of traction and a tight fit. Cargo gaps are to be avoided as far as possible. Small and groupage goods should be stacked in bigger, solid (plastic) boxes; use empty cartons or boxes as a sort of wedge-buffers, and lash down bulky goods to lashing points or other load-bearing parts.
The most important cargo: your children!
The safety belt makes sure that your child is also "lashed" in a tight fit! If the little sprog does not want to sit in the child seat, Papa or Mama simply won't go for a drive. End of story! That's how it works! No experiments please, for the sake of your children. And it is also a registered offence ("Vormerkdelikt") - very rightly so (and reported relatively often). Please note: Your children grow. The seat doesn't. So change it in good time!
Leisure time transport on the roof rack - no time for handicrafts!
If the cargo (surf board, boat etc.) is too bulky, it often ends up on the roof of the car. The constructions which one comes across as a co-road-user when overtaking are sometimes quite acrobatic, but simply cannot be tolerated because they are a potential danger. Use a professional roof rack with proper securing devices and watch out for the centre of gravity and the total weight of the vehicle. The same considerations apply of course to bicycle racks.
The 7 golden rules for securing cargo
Use a suitable vehicle (furniture van, trailer, ... - to be borrowed if necessary). Watch axle loads also for private cars, especially for heavy, dense goods, e.g. tiles. Watch total weight, axle loads and tyre pressure. Point of gravity of the cargo as far as possible in the central midplane of the vehicle. Cargo must not shift, tilt, roll. If necessary re-secure it at once. Use appropriate securing means (boxes, blocking material, padding etc.; look for lashing points in the vehicle). Do not damage the cargo (soft padding with blankets etc.; helps to avoid anger and frustration). Expect the unexpected: Adjust your speed to the weather conditions (icy rain, hail, driving rain...) and the road surface (potholes etc.).
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Ing. Dominik Scholz and Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Josef Drobits
