Newsgroups: misc.transport.road
Subject: Debris from trucks big problem for motorists
NNTP-Posting-Date: Thu, 04 Aug 2005 05:14:57 EDT

http://www.newsobserver.com/front/story/2673721p-9110578c.html

The traffic, sprawl and construction that mark the Triangle's boom
have ushered in an era of flying rocks on the area's highways. The
spray of debris from rumbling trucks can range from annoying to
deadly.

Last month, Ana Larson, a married mother of two from Apex, died after
a five-pound rock flew through her van's windshield, hitting her in
the face.

Last year, state Highway Patrol troopers spotted 1,195 trucks with
unsecured loads, up from 854 ticketed in 2003. A spokesman said some
of the increase could be attributed to the growing number of
construction trucks.

In offices around the Triangle, commuters swap stories about
encounters with flying rocks. Howard DuLany, a Lenovo employee, has
one of the most harrowing. Last May, his morning commute to his office
in Research Triangle Park was interrupted by a huge rock that flew
through his windshield, hit his Ford Explorer's passenger seat and
then fell to the floor.

Police still have not figured out how the rock flew into DuLany's
truck. He doubts they ever will, because they have no license plate to
track down or witnesses who could give them more details.

...

It's not always easy to identify a problem. Dump trucks are covered by
a provision in state law that lets their owners post license plates on
the front of their trucks if the materials they are hauling could
cover or discolor the license plates.

At times, even drivers who know where an offending piece of road
debris came from have been unable to get satisfaction.

Lori Marks of Wake Forest said she chased down a dump truck a few
years ago after a rock fell from it and cracked her windshield. The
driver was indignant, she said, and his bosses were not much better.

"The man in the office said they're not liable," she said. "After
that, I didn't even bother. I just called the insurance company and
replaced it."

Jack Cole, head of the N.C. Dump Truck Association, did not respond to
a phone message seeking comment.

AAA Carolinas said drivers can make dump truck companies pay for
damage caused by debris they drop, but it is difficult.

-----------------------------------------