Have you ever been driving and out of nowhere you see something flying right at you? You have no time to do anything so you let off the gas, grab the wheel tight and brace yourself. Debris on the road, it is estimated, causes 80-90 fatalities and 25,000 crashes per year. Lost loads, tire parts and garbage on the road is hazardous and can surprise even the most experienced drivers. Here are some tips on what you should do to avoid debris on the road while driving:
- Stay alert
- Avoid distractions. That second you take to look away may be the second you need to react
- Don’t tailgate. If the car in front of you swerves to miss an object, you have no time to react
- Focus your vision further down the road. Scan at least 12 seconds ahead of you for plenty of time to react safely. Watch for swerving cars ahead of you, which may indicate a hazard
- Don’t stay behind loads. If you’re behind a vehicle with a load, drop back, move into a different lane and look around to see what your options are in case you need to respond quickly
- Be careful around trucks. Wheel and tire separation are more common on large trucks
- Report unsafe vehicles, unsecured loads and road debris. Store your local transportation office’s number in your cell phone and pull over safely to make the call
- Be ready to make a decision. If you find yourself with no time to react, striking minor road debris may be less dangerous than swerving off the road or into oncoming traffic
- If you are hauling anything, take extra time to secure the load and check it regularly. Things can shift and ties and covers can become loose. Drivers can be ticketed for not securing loads properly
From AAA exchange