As Americans head to farms, retail stores and local tree lots this weekend, AAA East Central urges motorists to safely secure their trees during transport to keep them from becoming dangerous projectiles.
As with any large object, properly securing a tree will help prevent it from becoming a hazard to other drivers and prevent potential vehicle damage.
“A live tree can complete your home’s holiday décor in a memorable way, but motorists need to use caution when transporting it,” said Terri Rae Anthony, safety advisor, AAA East Central. “Negligence could mean possibly putting other lives at risk and setting yourself up for costly repairs to your own vehicle.”
Risks associated with an improperly secured holiday tree, according to previous AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety research, include more than 200,000 crashes involving debris on U.S. roads over a four-year period, resulting in 39,000 injuries and 500 deaths.
Drivers can also face hefty fines and penalties as well as jail time if an unsecured tree falls off their vehicle. Currently, every state has laws that make it illegal for items to fall from a vehicle while on the road. Most states’ penalties result in fines ranging from $10 to $5,000, with at least 16 states listing jail as a possible punishment for offenders.
Additionally, an improperly secured tree can cost motorists as much as $1,500 in repairs. Twine that is wrapped around trees and looped through door jambs or open windows can cause permanent wear and warping, and branches can scratch a vehicle’s paint.
AAA Tips for Safely Securing a Holiday Tree:
