An Unseen Danger: AAA Study Reveals Deadly Toll of Road Debris

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. (Jan. 06, 2026) – When considering one of the factors linked to tens of thousands of crashes across the United States, many of them deadly, you might expect the answer to be drunk or distracted driving. However, a recent study by the AAA Foundation of Traffic Safety found a surprising, yet equally dangerous, culprit: road debris. AAA researchers analysed nationwide police data and other research and found road debris was likely a factor in more than 319,000 crashes between 2018 and 2023, resulting in more than 32,000 injuries and 433 deaths.

“Road debris” is generally defined as any object on a roadway that does not belong in a driving environment. The most common types of debris include vehicle parts (tires, bumpers, wheels) and unsecured cargo that fell off a vehicle (furniture, BBQ grills, mattresses, etc.)

The study noted that many drivers involved in crashes made dangerous maneuvers like sudden swerving to avoid road debris. Maneuvers like these accounted for about a quarter of injuries and nearly half of all deaths.

Key Findings:

• Road debris was a factor in 53,000 crashes each year between 2018 and 2023
• These crashes resulted in an average of 5,467 injuries and 72 deaths each year
• Fallen-off vehicle parts and unsecured cargo were the most common forms of road debris
• Evasive maneuvers like swerving contributed to nearly half of related deaths

“Many of these crashes would have been easily preventable if drivers properly secured their cargo,” AAA Mountain West Group spokesperson Doug Johnson said. “Securing loads and keeping your car maintained seems like common sense, but too often we have seen many fail to do so and resulting in tragedy.”

Secure Every Load. It’s the Law.

All 50 states require drivers to secure their cargo. Penalties for unsecured loads resulting in crashes range from $10 to $2,500, and in some cases, jail time. 

To properly secure a load: 

• Tie down items with rope, netting, or straps. 
• Attach large objects directly to the vehicle or trailer. 
• Cover the load with a sturdy tarp or netting. 
• Avoid overloading the vehicle. 
• Double-check that everything is tight and secure before driving.

Tips for Drivers 

• Keep an eye out for road debris. Eyes up and on the road, avoid distractions.  
• Give space and room to respond. 
• If possible, warn others. Tap your brakes to signal to drivers behind you that there is debris in the road ahead.  
• Keep your vehicle properly maintained. Repair or replace any loose car parts.

About AAA Mountain West Group

AAA Mountain West Group is a membership and full-service leisure travel organization, proudly serving over 6.8 million Members across Alaska, Arizona, Nevada, Northern California, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. AAA delivers unmatched expertise and value through roadside assistance and electric vehicle (EV) resources, along with comprehensive auto repair, travel, insurance, financial, and home security services. Powered by 5,300 dedicated Team Members, AAA is on a mission to revolutionize solutions that help our Members.