Road debris responsible for 612 car accident casualties in 2001: AAA

A new study by the American Automobile Association’s Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates five deaths and 607 injuries were the result of car accidents due to road debris in Canada in 2001. In fact, between 1999 and 2001, the AAA speculates 30 fatal car crashes were the result of debris in the road.
The study, which is specifically centered on vehicle-related road debris, looked at accidents resulting from the unintentional discharge of material (parts or cargo) from a vehicle onto the roadway.
While the percentage of accidents related to road debris is far less than that due to speeding or drunk driving, this form of accident is particularly troublesome because it is often easily preventable by using common sense, says foundation president Peter Kissinger.
The most common form of road debris is tire treads, followed by garbage from waste haulers, lumber and construction materials, soil and tree limbs, mufflers and exhaust parts. Passenger cars with items improperly tied down, such as a mattress or sofa on the roof, are also cited as concerns.
The AAA recommends better driver training, including defensive driving instruction as one way to help drivers better react to road debris. As well, the AAA says stiffer penalties need to be imposed for those who do not secure loads properly, including possible fines or demerit points.