Tips for dealing with road debris

Road debris – auto parts, tire remnants, cargo and other materials – is estimated to cause more than 25,000 crashes per year in North America. Many of these crashes can be prevented if truck drivers and motorists secure their loads properly and report debris they see on roads.

AAA offers the following tips to help motorists avoid road debris and other driving dangers:

Secure your cargo adequately before you hit the road, and check it every time you stop.

Report unsafe vehicles, unsecured loads and road debris.

Brush up on defensive driving, especially around trucks in the event of wheel and tire separations. (Read more safety tips for driving around commercial trucks.)

Maintain a safe following distance. At highway speeds, this means allowing at least 4-5 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you. Give yourself extra distance if following a vehicle carrying large or difficult-to-secure cargo.
Focus your vision farther down the road. Scan at least 12 seconds ahead, so you have time to react to changing highway conditions, including road debris. Sudden movements by cars ahead of you often indicate a hazard in the road.

Sometimes it’s safer to run over debris rather than try to avoid it. Striking minor road debris can be far less dangerous than veering into oncoming traffic or swerving off the pavement. Knowing where the cars around you are will help you make the right decision.

Many state police agencies have special phone numbers to report dangerous road conditions such as road debris and vehicles that appear ready to lose their loads.

Source: AAA