If you've ever found yourself driving behind a vehicle with lumber, furniture, or other cargo strapped (or barely strapped) to its roof, loaded in a pickup bed, or an open trunk you know that sinking feeling in your stomach. Every slight sway or shift makes you wonder if today's the day something breaks loose and comes flying through your windshield. One driver in Florida captured that exact anxiety on camera. Kia Soul on a Dangerous Mission In a viral Facebook video a driver shows a green Kia Soul in front of them traveling down a Florida highway with two extremely long pieces of wood strapped to its roof. The lumber appears to be at least triple the width of the small SUV, extending far beyond both sides of the vehicle. The video posted by People of Florida captures the tense moment as the Kia Soul activated its right turn signal and began merging into the adjacent lane. Despite worries that this shift would cause the wood to topple, they somehow remained attached to the roof as the driver successfully completed the lane change. OWNERSHIP STORIES Viral stories from across the web Our team of experts tracks what owners are saying about car-shopping, repairs, the daily driving experience and more on social media. "Driving In Florida!!!" the caption reads, capturing both the absurdity and the all-too-common nature of witnessing dangerous driving decisions on the state's roads. Risks of Unsecured Cargo The Kia Soul driver's decision to transport lumber this way wasn't just reckless—it was potentially deadly. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Each year, about 730 people are killed and 17,000 more are injured because of objects in the road. Most of these crashes (81%) involve unsecured loads on passenger vehicles, not commercial trucks.” All 50 states and the District of Columbia have laws regarding unsecured loads, with violation penalties carrying fines up to $5,000. The laws require cargo to be tied down in a way that prevents anything from dropping, shifting, leaking, or escaping the vehicle. Gallery: 2021 Kia Soul EV Maxx How to Properly Secure Cargo to Your Roof The difference between safely transporting lumber and creating a highway hazard comes down to using the right equipment and techniques. Here are some expert recommendations from Gear Patrol: Use webbing straps with fastening buckles, not ratcheting systems that can apply excessive crushing force to both the cargo and vehicle Avoid bungee cords entirely—they're too prone to flex at highway speeds and allow loads to shift or escape For vehicles without roof racks, loop rope through the car doors (not windows) and around the cargo, using a towel or blanket to protect the roof Center the load with your car doors so the bulk of the item is most securely strapped down Place items as far forward on the roof as possible to reduce drag and prevent updraft—items hanging over the windshield catch wind and can pull away from the vehicle For long items like lumber or canoes, anchor the cargo to both the front and back of the vehicle, not just the roof rack Find metal anchor points rather than plastic bumpers, or use hood loops that attach to bolts under the hood Amusement and Horror In the Comments Florida is notorious for having strange and amusing news stories. The Kia Soul driver’s strange load is another example of the famed “Florida man” trope. Some were highly amused. “At least he used his turn signal. That's a minor miracle here,” one joked. Others shared their own experiences with insufficiently secured loads. “I drove 75 in Georgia and a huge mattress came flying off at me. It ain’t just Florida,” said one. A few seemed to have had flashbacks to the famously terrifying logging truck accident in Final Destination. “Ummmmmm I’d be passing that car and not being near it or definitely not behind it,” wrote one. Motor1 reached out to People of Florida for comment via Facebook comment. The account does not accept direct messages. We'll update this if it responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team
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