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Thinking of taking a road trip? Chances are you’ll be hopping on I-81 and if you live in Roanoke or Salem…. you’ll be traveling on the most dangerous section of the 325 mile interstate highway in Virginia.
What Makes I-81 in Roanoke, VA, Salem, VA and Christiansburg, VA So Dangerous?
There are actually two factors at play. The first, is the sheer number of cars and tractor trailers that travel this stretch of road everyday. The second is the number of tractor trailers traveling on highways with steep grades.
Steep Grades…What Difference Does That Make?
My wife’s brother was a long haul independent contractor when I met her in 1998. At that time, he’d logged hundreds of thousands of miles driving all over the Great Plains and the Southwest. When I talked to him about the routes he preferred driving, he always said Arizona and New Mexico. Partly for the scenery, but mostly for the straight, flat roads. He went to say that “4 wheelers” (that’s trucker talk for cars) have no consideration for long haul trucks that greatly decrease their speeds when starting to climb steep grades.
Often times drivers of passenger cars that are following trucks become frustrated by the slowing trucks. This frustration leads to abrupt lane changes, variation in speed and sometimes road rage.
Lane changes are important because many accidents occur due to improper lane changes. Drivers often forget to check their mirrors for blind spots, use turn signals and check their mirrors before changing lanes. All of these are crucial steps to operating a vehicle safely, yet can be easily forgotten by a ticked-off motorist.
Variation in speed should also be noted as a potential cause to increased accident rates on I-81. When a car pulls into the left lane to pass a slower vehicle on a steep grade, the car may not be powerful enough to accelerate quickly. This temporarily slows traffic in the left lane as well and typically angers people behind them.
Road rage is the most dangerous component of these. Emotionally compromised drivers traveling up Christiansburg mountain at 70mph or more on an overcrowded interstate? I think we can all see the potential for disaster.
What Can Be Done?
Highway planners will be in Roanoke this week to hear comments from the public about the daily hazards of I-81. The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn on Ordway Drive from 4-7pm. A brief presentation will be made with ideas on how to improve safety on this stretch of highway. After that, the floor will be open to members of the community to voice concerns.
Need a Lawyer?
If you have questions about a personal injury claim, call The Thomson Law Firm for a free consultation. (540) 777-4900. The call is free and an intake specialist is ready to help you.
