Yellowknife (Aug 13/03) - Motorists have had to deal with dust and detours this summer during construction season.

But an anonymous caller to Yellowknifer recently expressed concern rocks flying from the back of large construction trucks could chip a motorists' windshield or paint.

Doug Gillard, bylaw manager in the city's municipal enforcement division, says it is not unheard of for rocks to spill from a truck.

"It's happened where trucks have lost some of their load in the road. Does it happen all the time -- I can't say," Gillard says.

"It has to be secure," he says of any loose material carried in the back of large vehicles.

This means trucks should be properly loaded with material and should have the proper tailgate or scowgate.

While the city has an insecure load bylaw to ensure road safety, Gillard says the Department of Transportation as well as the RCMP have the authority to enforce safety laws.

Insp. Paul Richards of the central district detachment of the RCMP in Yellowknife, says the incidence is uncommon.

"I'm not aware of a specific problem that's been identified."

Highway traffic Insecure load bylaw 4063 section 130 states no vehicle shall be driven with a load unless securely fastened to prevent spillage.