Deck the Halls….But First, Get your Tree Home Safely

Improperly secured trees cause crashes, expensive damage and driver fines

December 4, 2019 — The mad dash for the perfect Christmas tree has started and ensuring safety while transporting the tree should be at the top of this year’s Christmas to-do list.

Data from a AAA survey indicates that approximately 20 million Americans who purchased a live Christmas tree did not properly secure it to their vehicle on the way home, increasing the risk of a crash and serious vehicle damage caused by dangerous road debris.

Christmas trees that are not properly secured are a safety hazard for others traveling our roadways. 

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, road debris – which could include objects like improperly secured Christmas trees that fly off cars, landing on the road or on other cars – was responsible for more than 200,000 crashes that resulted in 39,000 injuries and 500 deaths over a four-year period. And about two-thirds of debris-related crashes are the result of improperly secured items falling from a vehicle. 

In addition, vehicle damage that results from an improperly secured Christmas tree, such as scratched paint, torn door seals and distorted window frames could cost up to $1,500 to repair. 

AAA urges all drivers to transport their Christmas trees safely this holiday season. 

“It is important that families take the proper precaution to secure their tree to the vehicle prior to returning home,” said Marilyn Buskohl, AAA South Dakota spokeswoman. “Twine that is wrapped around trees and looped through door jambs or open windows can not only cause the tree to become loose and endanger other vehicles but also cause serious damage to door seals and window frames. Drivers should never secure a Christmas tree to the top of a vehicle without a roof rack.”

Fortunately, Christmas trees can be safely transported by taking the following steps:

• Use the right vehicle. It’s best to transport a Christmas tree on top of a vehicle equipped with a roof rack. However, if you do not have a roof rack, use the bed of a pickup truck, or an SUV, van or minivan that can fit the tree inside with all doors closed.
• Use quality tie downs. Bring strong rope or nylon ratchet straps to secure the tree to your vehicle’s roof rack. Avoid the lightweight twine offered by many tree lots.
• Protect the tree. Have the tree wrapped in netting before loading it. If netting is unavailable, secure loose branches with rope or twine.
• Protect your vehicle. Use an old blanket to prevent paint scratches and protect the vehicle finish.
• Point the trunk towards the front. Always place the tree on a roof rack or in a pickup bed with the bottom of the trunk facing the front of the vehicle.
• Tie it down. Secure the tree at its bottom, center and top. At the bottom, use fixed vehicle tie-down points and loop around the trunk above a lower branch, to prevent any side-to-side or front-to-rear movement. The center and top tie downs should be installed in a similar manner.
• Give it the tug test. Before you leave the lot, give the tree several strong tugs from various directions to make sure it is secured in place and will not blow away.
• Drive slowly and easily. Take the back roads, if possible. Higher speeds create significant airflow that can damage your Christmas tree and challenge even the best tie-down methods.

Drivers can face hefty fines and penalties as well as jail time if an unsecured tree falls off their vehicle. “Drivers can prevent injuries and avoid penalties by properly securing their loads to prevent items from falling off the vehicle,” added Buskohl.

 

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