Road debris causes over 100 deaths per year on U.S. roadways
Everyone has seen them while driving a long an interstate highway. A big-rig semi shreds a tire and leaves debris all over the roadway. Not only is this debris an eyesore, it is also a dangerous obstacle that can cause a serious accident if a driver hits it.
Road debris can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle or, when struck, it can be launched into the air, where it then hits another vehicle. Sometimes, the object is small and causes minor damage like a small stone cracking a windshield. Other times it can make a driver lose control or go through a windshield.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety released a study on vehicle-related road debris. The study revealed that it caused 25,000 accidents and nearly 100 deaths each year. Road debris can also cause tires to blowout, leading to sever injuries in a rollover.
Establishing liability in a road debris accident can be difficult, but local government shave been known to address the issue by clearing shoulders periodically. Establishing which vehicle the debris fell off of can also be difficult given the volume of traffic on most roadways.
The best strategy is to be alert. Reducing speed in area where debris is present gives a driver a longer reaction time, thus allowing them to avoid collisions with debris.
