When must you perform cargo securement checks?

• A. Only after reaching the destination.
• B. Before starting a trip and during the trip as needed to ensure loads remain secured.
• C. Cargo securement checks are optional.
• D. Only when the weather is bad.

Answer: (B)

Cargo securement checks are performed before you start a trip and then during the trip as needed to keep the load from shifting. Before moving, you inspect all tie-downs, blocks, straps, and other securing devices to make sure the load is properly restrained and balanced. As you drive, conditions can change—road roughness, turns, stops, or even weather can loosen or shift the load—so you should recheck and adjust as needed to prevent movement or loss of cargo. This ongoing, proactive checking is essential for safety and compliance; waiting until the end of the trip or only checking in bad weather isn’t how securement is supposed to be maintained.