By Amy Smith
smith@newsroom.byu.edu
After an increase in highway accidents caused by debris on I-15, motorists are being encouraged to promptly report any dangerous debris that is on the road.
'Anything that is hazardous to public safety should be reported,' said Chris Kramer, public information officer for Utah Highway Patrol.
Although some motorists want to help out by removing debris from highway lanes, Kramer said that it is better to have trained officers remove any debris from roads like I-15.
'We don't want people jumping out of their cars to retrieve highway debris. It's dangerous out there,' he said. 'If you see anything that's big enough that people are swerving around it, call us,' Kramer said. 'A dispatcher will send someone out to address the concern.'
Kramer said that objects that should be reported include large pieces of metal or wood, furniture, boxes, large rocks or car parts that are lying in the path of traffic.
On April 6, a 27-year-old BYU student was killed in a freeway accident on I-15 in Orem after crossing into oncoming traffic. The accident may have been caused by highway debris.
A similar accident occurred Tuesday when a vehicle carrying a family of four struck a railroad tie on the road that had fallen from another vehicle. Their car veered into oncoming traffic near a Lehi exit and collided with a semi-truck.
The family suffered only minor injuries in the potentially fatal accident.
Kramer said that one reason for the increase in debris-related accidents is the increase in the number of motorists on I-15 and other highways.
The BYU community has many students and faculty that use the highways to commute often to nearby cities in Utah.
Kramer said that ways to prevent debris-related accidents is to educate motorists about properly securing any loads that they are carrying, and informing motorists about what numbers to call to have dangerous debris removed from highways.
Provo/Orem area motorists should call 227-8000 to inform the Utah Highway Patrol of dangerous debris. Salt Lake City motorists should call 975-4900.