Road Debris Accidents Account for More Than 50,000 Car Crashes Annually: AAA

Researchers have found that hundreds of traffic deaths occurred between 2018 and 2023 as a result of road debris.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) has published a new study through its Foundation for Traffic Safety (FTS), providing updated estimates on the number of crashes, injuries and deaths caused by road debris between 2018 and 2023.

Founded in 1902, AAA is a national federation of regional motor clubs that provides roadside assistance, travel services, insurance products and other member benefits. It also conducts research on traffic safety and transportation issues through its Foundation for Traffic Safety.

As defined by the study, road debris includes any loose material or object on a roadway that does not belong there. It is a well-recognized hazard worldwide, often resulting from improper road maintenance or unsecured loads that fall from vehicles.

These hazards pose a serious danger to drivers and passengers, contributing to crashes when vehicles strike falling or stationary objects, or when motorists lose control while swerving to avoid them.

In a study published last month, AAA researchers reviewed hundreds of Michigan police crash reports from 2018 to 2023. This information was then compared with a national crash database from the U.S. Department of Transportation to address data gaps and better understand how road debris contributes to crashes, injuries and deaths across the country.

Led by B.C. Tefft, the research team identified the scale of the problem, estimating that road debris contributed to the following during the 2018 to 2023 period:

• 319,724 auto accidents
• 32,802 injuries
• 433 fatalities

The study found that debris involved in these crashes most often came from:

• Vehicle parts that detached from cars or trucks
• Unsecured cargo, including household items, tools and building materials
• Natural debris, such as fallen tree branches or roadkill

Debris was more often confirmed as a factor in lower-severity crashes than in fatal or serious ones. However, more serious accidents occurred when drivers swerved to avoid debris than when vehicles struck or were struck by debris.

“Findings from this research highlight road debris as a significant but understudied factor in traffic crashes, injuries, and fatalities across the United States.”

— B.C. Tefft, The Safety Impact of Road Debris: Updated Prevalences of Crashes, Injuries, and Deaths in the United States, 2018–2023

Researchers stress coordinated action to address these concerns, including better crash documentation, prompt debris removal and better enforcement of load laws. Drivers can reduce risks by securing cargo, maintaining vehicles and driving defensively.

Sign up for more safety and legal news that could affect you or your family.