Truck Hits Overpass Causes Scaffolding to Fall

BRONX, NY- Abc7ny.com reports that scaffolding fell from a truck Thursday morning on the westbound side of the Cross Bronx Expressway. The truck drove under a sign or underpass causing the scaffolding to be knocked off and onto the road.

One car was involved in the collision. The debris from the truck caused the closure of the westbound side of the highway, and the eastbound traffic experienced delays resulting from the FDNY trucks that arrived at the scene to clear the road.

Road debris creates hazards for drivers across the country. Between 2011 and 2014, about 500 people were killed in accidents resulting from obstructions on the road and another 39,000 people suffered injuries in road debris accidents.

Over a third of the fatalities were caused by drivers swerving their vehicles in attempts to avoid hitting road debris. In many cases, the driver overreacts to perceived debris and can lose control of their vehicle or cross into another lane causing a collision with another vehicle.

Making matters more dangerous, most of the debris-related accidents involve highway traffic because the high speeds make it more likely for cargo or vehicle parts to become detached and end up on the road. Drivers traveling at high speeds also have a hard time reacting to road obstructions.

Motorists can reduce their chance of being injured by debris in the road by staying alert and scanning the road for potential debris. Additionally, try to keep a distance from other vehicles so that you can move around an object you see on the road. Finally, if you cannot avoid an object in front of you, try to reduce your speed as much as possible.

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