If you see debris on the highway, call 911 when it’s creating an immediate danger to drivers, and call your state highway patrol non-emergency line or state department of transportation when it isn’t. Road debris causes an average of 53,000 police-reported crashes each year, resulting in roughly 5,400 injuries and 72 deaths annually.1AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The Safety Impact of Road Debris: Updated Prevalences of Crashes Getting the right number and the right information to a dispatcher is what gets a crew moving before someone gets hurt.
When To Dial 911
Dial 911 when the debris is actively putting lives at risk. A mattress sprawled across a travel lane, a large piece of metal bouncing between cars, or a spilled load forcing drivers into sudden lane changes all qualify. Highway hazard reports are a routine part of the 911 workload, and dispatchers coordinate with law enforcement, fire departments, and transportation agencies to get the right crew to the scene quickly.2911.gov. 911’s Role in Highway Safety
If you’re the driver, pull over to a safe spot before dialing. If that’s not possible, have a passenger make the call. Getting yourself out of danger comes first.
Non-Emergency Reporting Channels
Not every piece of debris warrants a 911 call. A shredded tire on the shoulder, a broken bumper in the median, or scattered gravel near a construction zone still deserves a report, but through non-emergency channels. Most states offer two options: a highway patrol non-emergency line and a department of transportation service request system. A quick search for “[your state] highway patrol non-emergency number” or “[your state] DOT road hazard report” will usually turn up the right contact in seconds.
Many states also participate in the 511 travel information system, a three-digit number the FCC designated as a nationwide resource for road conditions.3Federal Highway Administration. FHWA Traveler Information – About 511 The 511 system primarily provides traffic updates and travel advisories, so it won’t replace a direct call for an active hazard. In states where 511 connects to a staffed call center, operators can route your report to the right agency. If you try 511 and get only automated recordings, hang up and call the state DOT or highway patrol directly.
What To Tell the Dispatcher
A good debris report gives the responding crew enough information to find the hazard quickly and bring the right equipment. Include as much of the following as you can safely observe:
- Exact location. Highway name or number, nearest mile marker or exit, and your direction of travel. “Eastbound I-70 near mile marker 214” is far more useful than “somewhere on the highway.”
- What the debris is. Tire fragments, lumber, a refrigerator, metal sheeting. If you can estimate size, do so.
- Where it sits. Left lane, right lane, shoulder, median, or scattered across multiple lanes.
- Traffic impact. Whether vehicles are actively swerving, whether the debris is moving, and how heavy traffic is at the moment.
The more specific the report, the faster the response. A vague “something in the road” forces responders to search a stretch of highway. A precise description with a mile marker lets them go straight to it.
Hazardous Material Spills
Debris that involves leaking fluids, chemical containers, or anything giving off unusual fumes is a different situation. Call 911 immediately, stay upwind and well away from the spill, and do not attempt to identify the substance or clean it up. Emergency responders trained in hazardous materials will handle the scene.
Anyone who discovers a hazardous substance release or oil spill can also contact the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.4U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. How to Report Spills and Environmental Violations The NRC coordinates federal response efforts for chemical and oil spills across the country. In practice, 911 is still the right first call for a highway spill because it gets local responders moving immediately, but the NRC number is worth knowing if you witness a release that isn’t getting attention.
Staying Safe Around the Debris
Your first job is not to become part of the problem. Swerving sharply at highway speed is one of the most dangerous things you can do, and it’s the instinct that causes a large share of debris-related crashes. Check your mirrors before changing lanes. If there’s no safe opening, controlled braking with both hands on the wheel gives you the best chance of maintaining control.
Running over small debris at a steady speed is sometimes safer than a violent maneuver to avoid it. That’s a judgment call based on what’s in the road and what’s around you, but the general principle holds: a flat tire from a nail is survivable, while a rollover from an overcorrection often isn’t.
If your vehicle strikes debris or you have a blowout, signal and pull onto the shoulder as far from the travel lanes as possible. Turn on your hazard lights. Do not walk into traffic to inspect the damage or retrieve the object. People are killed on highway shoulders every year by passing traffic, and no piece of debris is worth that risk.
Move Over Once Crews Arrive
Once you’ve reported debris and crews arrive to remove it, you have a legal obligation to give them space. All 50 states have Move Over laws requiring drivers to change lanes away from stopped emergency and maintenance vehicles with flashing lights, or to slow down significantly if a lane change isn’t safe.5National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Move Over: It’s the Law In 19 states and Washington, D.C., these laws extend to any vehicle displaying hazard lights, including disabled cars stopped because of debris damage.
Violating Move Over laws results in fines and, in some states, jail time. Highway maintenance workers and law enforcement officers are struck and killed every year by drivers who don’t slow down or move over. Treat any cluster of flashing lights on the highway as a signal to change lanes or drop your speed.
What Happens After You Report
After you call in a debris report, the responding agency dispatches a crew based on urgency. A large object blocking a travel lane during rush hour gets the fastest response. Smaller items on the shoulder during low-traffic hours go into a queue. Highway maintenance teams handle most routine debris removal, while law enforcement responds when the hazard involves active danger.
You won’t receive a callback or notification when the debris is cleared. Agencies prioritize getting the hazard off the road, not providing updates to individual callers. If you travel the same route regularly and notice the debris is still there hours or days later, call again. Reports sometimes fall through the cracks, and a second call can bump the priority.