A STUDY done several years ago found that road debris played a role in more than 200,000 crashes reported to police in the United States. More than 500 people were killed and another 39,000 were left nursing injuries.

Road debris comes in many forms: furniture, wood, equipment, and other items that have fallen off of vehicles; pieces of blown tires, litter, broken fenders, wreckage from vehicular accidents, fallen rocks, pieces of concrete, and stones thrown by tires. The list is endless.

Though small in size, some can cause significant damage to vehicles and in worst case scenarios, serious injury or death. Vehicular damages include broken windshields, cracked windows, engine damage and transmission damage.

Earlier this week, police issued a road alert to motorists traversing the four-lane Heroes Highway between Eccles to Mandela in the vicinity of Sage Pond owing to the presence of a large quantity of stone scattered across the thoroughfare.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. This is the state of other parts of that highway and other major roads particularly those located where major infrastructure work is being done.

There have also been instances of wet mud, building material, and sand falling out of trucks as they traverse the roadways sometime during rush hour traffic. The upsetting or perhaps frightening thing is not knowing who should be held responsible for vehicular or bodily damage.

Of recent, motorists are being bullied by truck drivers who have claimed ownership of our roads through acts of aggression, reckless driving and an absolute disregard for life, limb and the safety of other road users.

It has now become the norm for truck drivers to traverse the streets with their uncovered load. Anyone travelling behind has to either roll up their windows or drop back to a safe distance. If the wind is strong, the sand blows. If the truck is speeding, the stone bounces out.

It must be stated that a few truck drivers, mainly those transporting sand, cover their cargo.

Another frightening occurrence concerns how lumber is transported. In many cases, the lumber is hanging out the back of the trucks, sometimes almost touching the road. A piece of red cloth is often attached to the end of one to warn those behind of the danger of travelling too close.

Of major concern also are vehicles with mechanical problems that are left parked at the side of the road, often times in a dangerous position and for several days. A few weeks ago, someone uploaded a photo to Facebook of a car taking up half of a lane. It was jacked up and missing a front wheel and had been there for a few days.

Earlier this week, another person took to social media and using a photo complained of a truck that was inconsiderately parked on the road taking up almost an entire lane. It was pointed out that it has been there for three weeks, with no cones or any warning signs. It was expressed that its presence in that position was a safety hazard and an accident waiting to happen when heading home at nights.

Truck drivers were reminded by the Ministry of Public Works to ensure that they cover truck trays while transporting materials to prevent accidents. It’s important to note that leaving trays uncovered is considered a violation under Regulation No. 99 of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Regulations, Cap. 51:02.

It is time to consider the strict enforcement of this law given that roadways are littered with stone and other materials or vehicles left parked in an unsafe position for a lengthy period of time.