Tire Debris on I-4 Eastbound in Longwood Prompts FHP Caution Advisory

Scattered tire debris forced Florida Highway Patrol to issue a caution advisory on I-4 eastbound at mile marker 96 in Longwood Monday afternoon, creating a hazard for drivers navigating one of Seminole County's busiest highway corridors.

Troopers reported the debris field around 2:47 p.m. on March 31, urging motorists to reduce speed and exercise heightened awareness through the affected stretch. The mile marker 96 location sits near a commercial truck rest area along I-4, a section of highway that sees substantial freight traffic and where tire blowouts from heavy vehicles are among the most common sources of road debris.

Tire fragments pose an outsized danger relative to their size. At highway speeds, shredded rubber can strike windshields, puncture tires, damage undercarriages, or cause drivers to swerve abruptly into adjacent lanes. When debris is scattered rather than concentrated in a single spot, the hazard zone extends far enough that drivers may not have time to react before encountering a second or third piece.

FHP's caution advisory, rather than a full lane closure, signaled that the debris did not render the roadway impassable but warranted reduced speeds until troopers could confirm the zone was clear. Drivers who spot road hazards on Florida interstates before emergency responders are notified can dial *FHP, or *347, from a mobile phone to report the location and mile marker directly to state troopers.

The incident serves as a reminder of how quickly conditions on I-4 can shift through the Longwood corridor, particularly during afternoon commute hours when commercial and passenger traffic converge. Anyone who sustained vehicle damage from the debris has the option of filing a report with FHP to document the incident, which can be relevant for insurance purposes.