2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 75 - VEHICLES › Chapter 49 - Size, Weight and Load › Section 4903 - Securing loads in vehicles

§ 4903. Securing loads in vehicles.
(a) General rule.--
No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any highway unless the vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking or otherwise escaping.
(b) Fastening load.--
Every load on a vehicle shall be fastened so as to prevent the load or covering from becoming loose, detached or in any manner a hazard to other users of the highway.
(c) Load of logs.--
(1) Every load of logs on a vehicle shall be securely fastened with binders, chains or straps and, in the case of an open-body or stake-body vehicle, trailer or semitrailer there shall be a sufficient number of vertical metal stakes or posts securely attached on each side of the vehicle, trailer or semitrailer at least as high as the top of the load to secure such load in the event of a failure of the binders, chains or straps.
(2) A load of logs which are greater than six feet in length must be secured by three binders for each stack of logs, except that, if the stacks are tiered so that one stack rests upon the bottom stack or stacks, a total of three binders is necessary for that tiered combination.
(3) A load of logs which are six feet or less in length must be secured by two binders for each stack of logs, except that, if the stacks are tiered so that one stack rests upon the bottom stack or stacks, a total of three binders is necessary for that tiered combination.
(4) A tiered combination which includes logs which are greater than six feet and logs which are six feet or less shall be governed by paragraph (2).
(c.1) Load of loose garbage.--
Every load of loose, nonbaled garbage, waste, refuse or rubbish being transported through or within this Commonwealth shall be transported in a vehicle with four solid sides and with a cover or top of a type to prevent any of the load from escaping. The cover or top shall remain tightly in place going to a disposal site. The load shall be no higher than the solid sides of the vehicle. It is imperative that all garbage, waste, refuse or rubbish be removed from the vehicle at the disposal site to prevent any scattering of litter on the highway during the return trip. No truck, trailer or semitrailer with an open body or stake body shall be used for such purposes. This subsection shall not apply to vehicles engaged in the systematic collection of garbage or refuse and which are designed to be open in the rear for the loading of garbage or refuse.
(c.2) Load of baled garbage.--
Garbage, municipal waste, waste, refuse or rubbish in a tightly compacted and baled form being transported through or within this Commonwealth shall be securely fastened to the vehicle and covered over all exposed areas by being placed within a woven bag or with a canvas cover or cover of a comparable type. If a canvas cover or cover of a comparable type is used, the cover shall be securely attached to the underside of all sides of the truck, trailer or semitrailer by straps. A woven bag, canvas cover or cover of a comparable type shall have the purpose of preventing any of the material from the bales from escaping. No part of any bale shall be uncovered, except for inspection, at any time during transportation within or through this Commonwealth until arrival at the disposal site.
(c.3) Load of equipment with hydraulically operated boom arm.--
The boom arm of equipment with a hydraulically operated boom arm being transported through or within this Commonwealth shall be securely fastened to the vehicle with steel restraining devices to prevent its movement or shifting during transit.
(d) Establishment of standards for fastening devices.--
The department may promulgate regulations establishing minimum standards governing types and numbers of devices to be used in securing loads to prevent spillage and leakage of a load while in transit.
(e) Exceptions.--
This section does not prohibit:
(1) the necessary spreading of any substance in highway maintenance or construction operations; or
(2) the shedding or dropping of feathers or other matter from vehicles hauling live or slaughtered birds or animals.
(f) Penalty for violation of subsection (a), (b) or (c).--
A person who owns or who operates a vehicle in violation of subsection (a), (b) or (c) and, as a result of the violation, any item, piece, fragment or part of the load escapes and causes injury to a person or damage to another vehicle or other property commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $1,000. A violation of subsection (a), (b) or (c) which does not result in injury to a person or damage to another vehicle or other property constitutes a summary offense, punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $300.
(g) Penalty for violation of subsection (c.1) or (c.2).--
A person who owns or who operates a vehicle in violation of subsection (c.1) or (c.2) commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $300 nor more than $1,000. Notwithstanding the provisions of 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 3571 (relating to Commonwealth portion of fines, etc.) and 3573 (relating to municipal corporation portion of fines, etc.), disposition of any fine collected for a violation of subsection (c.1) or (c.2) shall be as follows:
(1) Unless paragraph (2) applies, the fine collected shall be paid to the Commonwealth for deposit into the Motor License Fund.
(2) If the county where the offense was committed has a litter control program approved by the department, 50% of the fine collected shall be paid to the county for expenditure in the approved litter control program; and 50% of the fine collected shall be paid to the Commonwealth for deposit into the Motor License Fund.
(Mar. 13, 1990, P.L.69, No.14, eff. imd.; July 11, 1996, P.L.660, No.115, eff. 60 days; Nov. 26, 2008, P.L.1658, No.133, eff. 60 days; July 11, 2022, P.L.1591, No.91, eff. 60 days)
2022 Amendment.
Act 91 amended subsec. (c.2).
2008 Amendment.
Act 133 added subsec. (c.3).
1996 Amendment.
Act 115 amended subsec. (c).
1990 Amendment.
Act 14 added subsecs. (c.1), (c.2), (f) and (g). See section 6 of Act 14 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to construction of Act 14.
Cross References.
Section 4903 is referred to in sections 3329, 3716 of this title.