Road gators: What to know when driving in Ohio

DAYTON , Ohio (WDTN) — No, it’s not an alligator. But it could act like one with the damage it can cause.

Across the U.S. and especially in Ohio, it is very likely you have witnessed pieces of rubber from tires, commonly referred to as road gators, on the interstate. If your vehicle comes into contact with a piece on the roadway, it could damage your vehicle.

Kara Hitchens, public affairs manager for AAA, told FOX 8 sister station 2 NEWS that before getting behind the wheel and hitting the road, you should check your tires to avoid them becoming detached.

“You want to make sure that you have good tire tread depth on your tire and that your tread is is well attached,” said Hitchens.

One way to check your tread depth is by using a coin. According to Hitchens, if you use the coin to measure, the top of the coin should not be visible.

“If you can see the top of that of the whoever that person is on the coin, whether, you know, one of the presidents, you can see the top of their head,” said Hitchens. “You need more tread on that tire and you really need to change your tires.”

If the road gator affected your vehicle, AAA encourages you to slow down and safely merge to the far-right side of the roadway. You should not attempt to exit your vehicle to see if you are able to remove it, but rather call for help.

“I would say slow down if you can get out of that lane, if you have hit it, because those things can tear up your car,” said Hitchens. “If you have hit it, pull off to the side of the road. Call emergency services, call police or someone to come out and have it removed from the road.”

Drivers on the side of the roadway should ensure they keep in their vehicle with their safety belts on, as well as hazard lights activated.

“We always tell you, pull over to the far right side of the road, if you can, off the road, out of the flow of traffic and stay in your vehicle with your seatbelt on,” said Hitchens. “That’s the safest place for you and being [secure]. And your seatbelt is also going to if by chance, your vehicle does get hit, there is going to help protect you and keep you safe, that crumple zone around you in the vehicle will keep you safe and call for help at that time.”

Mandi Dillon, spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Transportation told 2 NEWS when the organization is notified of the presence, they send crews out to retrieve the object.

“When we see or are notified of tire pieces [gators] in the road, our crews use officers and our attenuator trucks to slow traffic and go out and pick them up,” said Dillon. “Sometimes our Geico safety patrol trucks will grab them and put them on the shoulder to make it easier for crews to go pickup if they see them first.”

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