United States

AAA Chicago Warns of Dangerous Flying Debris on Highway

Chicago area traffic can sometimes move at a snail’s pace, but a leading road safety organization is urging drivers to be on the lookout for flying objects on the highway.

According to AAA Chicago, road debris has caused more than 200,000 crashes on US roadways during the past five years. The crashes are more likely to occur on interstate highways. Driving at high speeds increases the risk for vehicle parts or cargo to fall off.

“Most of that occurs because people do not properly secure the load in their car,” said AAA spokesperson Beth Mosher.

Between 2011 and 2014, more than 39,000 people were injured and 500 people were killed across the country as the result of road debris.

Nearly 37 percent of all deaths in road debris crashes resulted from the driver swerving to avoid hitting an object, according to AAA.

In addition to dangerous debris on the road, a suburban mechanic is urging motorists to think twice before throwing objects out of moving vehicles.

Ken Anderson is the owner of Libertyville Kar Care in Libertyville. He said he recently saw two tires in the same week damaged by discarded vaping pens, which can be used as electronic cigarettes.

“If somebody hits one of these at a high rate of speed, it's going to blow a tire out and possibly cause an accident,” Anderson said.

The Illinois Department of Transportation does not keep track of the reasons for tire failures. However, a spokesperson said under inflation appears to be the biggest cause of shredded tires.

AAA said says 20 percent of its calls in Illinois are tire-related. The roadside assistance agency is urging drivers to keep their tires properly maintained to avoid potential accidents.

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