Shouldn't it be a law for drivers to pick up their blown-out tire? I watched an accident today because of this

Question

Along the interstate I drive 2 x daily there are generally several large blown out tires/tire treads. Usually drivers swerve and there is no significant damge however, today it caused a 3-car accident. Isn't there a law that requires drivers to pick them up if they are responsible? and if not, why not?

Answer 1

Usually, those blown tires are from the back axles of tractors  or the trailers of big rigs - most of the time, they are re-caps . With 18 or more wheels, they could lose one and never know it . Trying to pick up debris in traffic is not recommended for the casual or professional driver, that is why there are state police, highway patrol and highway maintenance crews . By all means pull over and call it in, but don't try to retrieve the junk . And as drivers among all the various types of vehicles, we have to keep our peepers peeled for such hazards, so we have time to deal with them.

Blown tires are like blown engines (which leave a trail of oil behind the vehicle), they are material failures beyond the driver's control . The driver is not responsible for cleanup.

Answer 2

There is a law is called littering and if you see the vehicle that did this just call 911 and report them and dont forget the plate number....

Answer 3

It already exists.  Leaving anything roadside from a repair is littering and in some cases vandalism if it is avoidable from a simple clean up.  When you change a tire on the road, you should put the flat tire where the spare tire was and drive off with it to replace.

Answer 4

Some times the driver is far down the road when he realizes it was his tire. I actually have seen state police drive around a road hazard and they could  turn their light bar on and safely remove the object.............

Answer 5

No, and bad idea, Most states do not want you stopping on the highway. Too dangerous. You have to exit and enter traffic from a shoulder, which included a different level.

Now, can you picture aunt Doris, or Uncle Fred hobbling out in the middle of two or three lanes of 60 mph traffic to pick up a piece of rubber that fell off the car a mile back?  Highways are not for pedestrians.

Picture the movie Final Destination.

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