Published on Friday, July 13, 2007
in the St. Petersburg Times

Streets of Danger

A Naples toddler is hit by flying road debris and the driver is facing charges.

But if the accident happened in another state, very little might have been done.

WINK News found out Florida is in the top ten when it comes to tough penalties concerning road debris.

Some drivers can relate to an occasional rock that flies off a truck and hits your windshield.

But we scanned local roads and other hazards, like the cushion for a couch and shredded tires.

It all adds up to dangerous driving conditions.

"If it has a chance of falling, you can find it out on the interstate, it don't matter what it is," said Sgt. Daniel Taylor of the Florida Highway Patrol.

The road has become a minefield of mess.

"The interstate is America's junkyard," said Sgt. Taylor.

Tons of trash is collected from Lee County roads each month.

The Highway Patrol deals with it on a daily basis.

"Everyday there are calls that come in to the communications center where somebody's windshield has been hit by debris that has come off a truck," said Sgt. Taylor.

But sometimes it's more than a rock, and somebody gets hurt.

A Lehigh Acres mother is still in the hospital after she and her 6-year-old daughter were injured, and this week a Naples toddler was hurt when construction debris hit the baby's stroller.

The baby's okay, but the driver's facing charges.

"I've been driving now for about six years. I drive all 48 states," said Truck Driver Randy Osborne.

Osborne says it can all be avoided.

"The ones that bother me the most are the guys who don't tie their ladders down on their trucks. I see them all the time and they cause a lot of accidents," said Osborne.

Compared to other states, Florida is one of the toughest on drivers who trash the road.

"I think Florida has really stepped up to the plate over the last few years because it used to be nothing," said Sgt. Taylor.

Each county can decide the penalty but the law requires drivers to secure anything they're hauling.

In Lee County, it starts with a $200 fine if something flies out.

Eventually you could lose your license and face a judge's punishment.

In Manatee County, you face a judge on the first offense.

"You can actually save yourself some time, some money and some headaches just by securing your loads," said Sgt. Taylor.

If you're out on the road and see some debris, the Florida Department of Transportation says you should give them a call.

Troopers also suggest you avoid swerving if you can because many accidents happen from people dodging items they could easily run over without harm to their vehicles or themselves.