Unsecured Load Ticket – Taylor, Michigan

🚚 For CDL & Commercial Vehicle Operators

As a Michigan traffic attorney who regularly represents CDL holders in Downriver courts, I can tell you that an “unsecured load” citation issued in Taylor is more than a simple civil infraction. For commercial drivers, it carries operational, safety, and employment-related consequences that reach far beyond the fine printed on the ticket.

ℹ️ What Counts as an “Unsecured Load” Under Michigan Law

Michigan regulates load security primarily through MCL 257.720. The statute requires that any load—whether transported in a commercial truck, pickup, or trailer—be properly fastened to prevent it from spilling, blowing, shifting, leaking, dropping, or otherwise escaping from the vehicle. The law applies both to the vehicle’s cargo and to attachments or equipment associated with the load.

If the load falls or leaks and creates a hazard on a roadway, law enforcement may also reference MCL 257.677a (creating an unsafe condition or obstruction on the roadway). When the unsecured load involves waste, gravel, sand, or similar material capable of blowing off the vehicle, officers may also rely on MCL 257.720(4), which requires a covering sufficient to prevent escape of material.

For commercial carriers, state law aligns with federal cargo securement rules found in 49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I, which dictate minimum tiedown requirements, working load limits, and commodity-specific securement standards. Michigan enforces these federal rules during roadside inspections.

An unsecured-load ticket issued by Taylor Police or the Michigan State Police is typically charged as a civil infraction, not a misdemeanor, unless the incident results in injury, property damage, or other aggravating circumstances.

📌 Common Scenarios That Lead to Citations in Taylor

Drivers in Taylor often receive this violation under circumstances such as:

• Flatbed loads with insufficient tiedowns under 49 CFR 393.110 or commodity-specific rules.
• Dump trucks or landscape loads with uncovered or partially covered material blowing off onto Telegraph, I-94, or Eureka Road.
• Shifting palletized freight in box trucks or trailers due to inadequate blocking, bracing, or load bars.
• Construction equipment or machinery being transported without proper chains meeting required working load limits.
• Pickup trucks hauling debris or tools without tailgate nets, tarps, or restraints.

The Downriver region is heavily trafficked by commercial carriers heading to and from the airport, railyards, and industrial corridors, so enforcement in Taylor is frequent and often tied to roadside Level I–III inspections.

🧾 Consequences for Non-CDL Drivers

For a standard motorist, an unsecured-load ticket is a civil infraction that may carry:

• A fine assessed by the 23rd District Court in Taylor.
• Driver’s license points, because Michigan categorizes unsecured-load violations under MCL 257.720 as a point-bearing offense. The Secretary of State’s point schedule assigns three points for a violation involving spilling or dropping loads that create a hazard.
• Insurance increases depending on the insurer’s underwriting rules.

There is no jail exposure unless the unsecured load causes an injury or significant property damage, which can escalate the charge to a misdemeanor under other provisions of the Michigan Vehicle Code.

🚛 CDL-Specific Consequences

For commercial drivers, the civil infraction is only part of the picture. An unsecured-load violation can lead to:

📊 FMCSA CSA Scoring

Cargo securement violations fall under the Vehicle Maintenance BASIC. Examples include insufficient tiedowns, failure to prevent shifting, or not meeting commodity-specific securement rules. These violations carry CSA severity weights ranging from low to very high depending on the exact subsection cited during inspection.

🗂️ PSP Report Entries

Any violation documented during a roadside inspection—whether or not you were cited in court—appears on your Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report. Carriers review these records when hiring and during annual reviews.

⛔ Out-of-Service Risks

If the inspector determines the cargo presents an immediate hazard—e.g., insufficient tiedowns for heavy equipment or a shifting load—the vehicle may be placed out of service under the North American Standard Out-of-Service Criteria.

🏢 Employer Discipline

Many carriers treat cargo securement violations as preventable incidents. This may result in internal corrective action, retraining, loss of safety bonuses, or disqualification under company policies even if the court reduces or dismisses the ticket.

🧪 Impact on Hazmat Loads

If the load contains hazardous materials subject to 49 CFR Parts 171–177, improper securement can compound the regulatory consequences, and inspectors often cite multiple violations.

⚖️ How Courts Typically Handle These Tickets in Taylor

The 23rd District Court handles traffic matters for the City of Taylor. Cargo-related infractions can often be negotiated, but the outcome depends on:

• Whether the allegation involves material actually spilling onto the roadway.
• Whether a crash or property damage occurred.
• Whether the driver has prior cargo-securement or equipment violations.
• Whether the ticket originated from a roadside inspection with accompanying federal violations.

Judges and prosecutors in Taylor are accustomed to commercial vehicle cases, and it is not unusual for them to consider amendments that avoid points if the violation did not result in a safety hazard. However, they also take load-securement issues seriously because of the risk unsecured cargo poses on busy Downriver corridors.

🧭 Practical Next Steps for Drivers Ticketed in Taylor

1. Do not simply pay the ticket. For CDL drivers, paying without contesting results in points, a permanent record, and possible CSA/PSP implications.
2. Obtain the inspection report (if issued). The inspection notes often matter more than the citation itself.
3. Document the load as it existed at the time. Photographs, BOLs, tie-down counts, and equipment ratings can be useful in negotiating reductions.
4. Consult an attorney familiar with commercial enforcement. Defending a cargo-securement case requires understanding both Michigan law and the federal regulations applied during inspections.
5. Address any carrier safety-management concerns. Demonstrating corrective action can support a more favorable resolution.

Even a single unsecured-load citation can impact a professional driver’s record and carrier standing. With enforcement in the Taylor area increasing, a strategic response can make the difference between a manageable civil matter and a long-term blemish on your safety profile. If you’re facing this charge, acting quickly and with accurate legal guidance gives you the strongest position moving forward.