An interesting topic indeed, I've heard this as well many times over the years, but there are two ways to view it, first on private property, then by all means do as you please, I could care less.
Second one is on public roads, as some have stated its the law in my country to chain and binder the load down, I intend no offense to anyone but this is my my opinion and maybe mine alone, but the word some might want to use is "responsibility". If your planning on getting behind the wheel of anything and driving on a public road, where my loved one's travel, maybe you should be responsible enough to obey the law, and chain down the load or else let someone who can drive and operate the truck.
For those that don't believe in this, I sure hope your loved one's don't end up in any accident with someone who has the same philosophy as you do, will chaining down the load eliminate all problems, never, but its sure far better than meeting a truck carrying something with very few chains or none at all on the load, I'm pretty sure of that much.
As for me, with liability, I"ll chain and binder down my loaded equipment to or above the law, if not for liability reasons, for peace of mind, if there is an accident at least I can say I did what was legal and did my best, I'm not sure how I could handle the ordeal of my dozer went off the side, few or no chains on it and someone was injured and I "could have" or "should have" done something better.
I've sat through enough insurance seminars about this topic in the past, have read all the published data and unless someone can prove without a shadow of doubt chains and binders DON'T save lives or reduce injuries, common sense says they do along with the data, and the law, I'll be handle the chains and binders and chain down what I haul, seeing how its my truck, trailer and equipment involved.