As Payson Wagstaff was driving home from his job in Salt Lake City last year, he encountered an unwanted hazard on I-15: a large piece of cement resting in the middle of the lane.
Wagstaff, who was in the far right lane surrounded by other vehicles and construction equipment, made a quick decision to hit the debris head-on.
“It was a pretty large piece,” he recalled, describing the incident.
The impact resulted in a loud noise and caused significant damage to his car, including a hole in his bumper and damage to the undercarriage.
He ultimately spent $700 out of pocket to repair the damages, which included replacing his foglight, fixing the undercarriage, and repainting his vehicle.
However, this wasn’t Wagstaff’s first encounter with road debris.
Just a year earlier, on a dark autumn night, he struck a piece of tire while driving.
With limited visibility and other drivers beside him, he was unable to change lanes in time.
The collision tore out the wheel well of his car, costing him $75 to fix the plastic cover.
“I think that was really what was the thing that I was most frustrated about,” he expressed.
The problem of road debris is not unique to Wagstaff.
In Utah, unsecured loads and various forms of litter on the roads are responsible for an alarming average of 753 crashes each year, according to data from the Utah Department of Public Safety.
These incidents have led to 18 fatalities over the past five years, underscoring the severity of the issue.
Officers from the Utah Highway Patrol (UHP) respond to over 70 calls each day regarding road debris, which adds up to more than 25,000 calls annually.
When UHP troopers are alerted to debris on highways or interstates, they act quickly to ensure safety on the roads.
Troopers create traffic slowdowns, typically weaving back and forth with their lights and sirens activated to alert drivers about the situation.
Lt. Cameron Roden, public information officer for UHP, explained, “They’re trying to create a break in traffic, where it’s safe for an officer to go out in the road, get that debris, whatever’s in the roadway, and bring it over to the shoulder where it can be safely picked up by UDOT.”
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) collaborates with the Department of Public Safety for debris cleanup, operating over 80 maintenance stations statewide to maintain clean highways.
However, the financial burden of cleaning up road debris is significant, costing the state approximately $2.9 million each year.
John Gleason, UDOT’s public relations director, recently noted that road litter has increased in recent years, stating, “We’ve seen enough out there on the roads to reconstruct an entire living room or kitchen.”
To address this growing concern, it is crucial to tackle the root problem of improperly secured loads.
“We’re all so proud of living in Utah. It’s such a beautiful state, and we all want to keep it that way,” Gleason added.
Education on how to securely transport loads has become a substantial effort by public safety officials to minimize road debris and subsequent accidents.
The Utah Highway Safety Office offers guidance on securing loads effectively.
Motorists are encouraged to place lighter items beneath heavier ones, tightly fasten everything using ropes, netting, or chains, and cover their load with a tarp or netting for additional security.
Walking around the vehicle to ensure the load is secure is recommended, as speed and weight do not inherently secure a load.
Additionally, drivers should be wary not to overload their trucks or trailers.
Troopers are vigilant about enforcing load security laws, with the authority to issue citations for unsecured loads.
As Lt. Roden explained, “If we find a load that’s not properly secured, or there is a load spill, there is a citation which we can use for failure to secure a load.”
Offenders can face a $200 fine for their first offense, with the penalty escalating to a $500 fine for subsequent violations.
Even with laws in place, many incidents only come to light after debris is already on the road, making it essential for drivers to remain vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
Roden emphasized the importance of maintaining an appropriate following distance and adhering to speed limits to reduce the risk of collisions with road debris.
“And that’s why driving is a full-time job,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of avoiding distractions.
In cases where drivers spot potential road hazards, Gleason encourages immediate reporting to 911 for prompt action.
“Especially if it’s a big enough object that it’s going to potentially cause a crash, you want to report that right away,” he said.
The involvement of UDOT crews, UHP, and law enforcement can lead to quick traffic slowdowns and safe debris removal from the roads.
image source from:kuer