Tradies in knot over load laws

One Warwick tradesman has tied a net on the back of his Ute to avoid a fine.

Georja Ryan

TRADIES across the region have been slammed with fines for not tying down their ute and trailer loads properly - but it's not the Warwick police handing them out.

One Warwick resident was issued a ticket for having a shovel and a water bottle in the tray of his ute which weren't tied down.

Another resident said he was confused whether he had to put a net over his load or if it only needed ropes.

"There is big confusion over whether we need to tie the loads down or tarp them or put a net over them, so I just went out and bought a net," he said.

Sergeant Wayne Smith, of Warwick Traffic Branch, said covers were not necessary if the loads are tied down correctly and cannot escape the vehicle.

"Whatever you're using to tie it down, you need to ensure it can't go backwards, up, sideways or forwards," Sgt Smith said.

"We don't know who is giving out the fines, but it could be State Traffic, who often travel through."

He said if loads were secured properly, a tarp was not necessary, unless it could fall out of the vehicle.