What do You Do When...Road Debris is in Your Path

Houston's ABC 13 Eyewitness News reported yesterday on the death of a motorcyclist:

"A piece of debris on the East Loop played a role in a fatal accident Wednesday night. A motorcyclist drove over a large wooden board, sending his bike into the air and causing the rider to hit the guard-rail. He died at the scene. "

Wherever you drive you will find debris on the road posing a hazard to you and other drivers. Objects lying in the road can cause serious crashes, injuries, and deaths. Road debris comes from a variety of sources. Equipment can break loose from vehicles, objects being transported may fall out of truck beds or off the roofs of cars, and tire treads may separate, placing debris on the roads.

Objects ranging from blown tires and tire treads to drive shafts, bumpers, hoods, leaf springs, brake parts, and dislodged cargo have all contributed to serious crashes. One report mentions that even off beat items such as ladders are commonly found in the roadway.

At highway speeds even a relatively small object such as a hand tool, spare tire, tarpaulin, or tie-down strap can be deadly.

Every state and major city has some version of a "debris patrol". In the Houston area six Texas Department of Transportation drivers patrol every day. Their main job is looking for debris. But even then, they say the problem doesn't go away.

Texas DOT's John Zientek explained, "It's a daily battle. I'm pretty sure that when I get back out there, there will probably be another good amount to pick up just on the same area I just went through."

What actions can you take to avoid junk on the road that may hurt you or damage your vehicle?

1. Brake if traffic permits.

2. If braking is not an option you can elect to swerve around the debris, strike it a glancing blow, or drive over it.

3. If confronted with something slippery such as an oil spill or a truckload of smashed pumpkins maintain your speed and roll right through the mess. Don't brake. Don't accelerate. Don't try to get fancy and swerve around it. An abrupt change in speed on a slippery surface will probably send you into a skid. Just keep on going, even if there are crates in your way.

4. If you come upon something of considerable mass like a freezer unit, a chest of drawers or a stuffed elephant you have a major challenge. You definitely don't want to hit such things squarely, but if you brake suddenly you risk a rear end collision. A sudden swerve to avoid may put you in conflict with traffic that is on your flanks.

You will have to make a quick mirror and blind spot check and go around if possible. If you're skillful enough (and lucky as well) you may just come out of the situation unscathed.

5. If you can't execute the swerve, hit the junk off center. The glancing blow might move the object out of your way causing only bumper or fender damage.

6. When faced with mystery debris like a paper bag or a cardboard box you may gamble on straddling them if they appear to be small enough. If you win, no harm done. If you lose the debris may rip through your oil pan, put your car in the shop, and you in the hospital.

I once sent twenty-four Pepsi cans rolling all over Quentein Road in Palatine while playing this game.

Be careful out there.