INDIANAPOLIS -- More than 200,000 crashes nationwide involved roadside debris, according to a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
The study focused on crashes between 2011-2014.
According to the study, 37 percent of all deaths in road debris crashes happened as a result of the driver swerving to avoid an object.
Debris-related crashes are most likely to happen on interstates. The higher speed limits means less time to respond and a greater risk of parts to fall onto the road.
Examples of road debris include:
- tires
- wheels
- furniture
- appliances
- tow trailers
"This new report shows that road debris can be extremely dangerous but all of these crashes are preventable," said Jurek Grabowski, research director for the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. "Drivers can easily save lives and prevent injuries by securing their loads and taking other simple precautions to prevent items from falling off the vehicle."
To avoid any crashes, you should make sure your tires are checked frequently and properly inflated. You should also check any exhaust systems that could rust and fall off.
