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Police use accident reports to target dangerous areas |
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Friday, 17 April 2009 |
 MOST ACCIDENTS in Benton have occurred from the intersection of Military Road, Carpenter Street and East Street, according to studies by the Benton Police Department. In this photograph, traffic is heading south on Military Road where it intersects with Carpenter Street. Police said 35 accidents occurred from this spot to Military and Northshore Drive in the first quarter of this year. (Courier photo by Matt Burks)
“We hope through these studies and public education, we can reduce the number of accidents on our roadways,” Sgt. Kevin Russell said. “We plan to do these studies in four quarters throughout the year. I think the street department can also look at the information to also help alleviate problem areas for vehicle traffic.”
He said the department could involve the street department and Arkansas Highway Patrol to help decrease traffic accidents. Russell also said the school resource officers are helping educate teenage drivers through teaching driver safety classes at Benton High School.
Russell said the first quarter of this year, which includes January, February and March, show the areas of Military Road from Carpenter Street to Northshore Drive as having the most number of accidents.
According to the study, 35 accidents were recorded in the first quarter of 2009. The main contributing factors were failure to yield (12 of the collisions), following too closely (nine of the collisions), careless driving (six of the collisions), not stopping at a red light (four of the collisions), driving too fast (two of the collisions) and improper lane changes (two of the collisions).
This is one less accident record since the fourth quarter of 2008 (October, November and December) when there was a total of 36 accidents, Russell said. One area, however, has decreased by 10 accidents since the fourth quarter of 2008 — the 121 mile marker area of Interstate 30 (Alcoa overpass) including the connecting service roads. Last October, November and December, Russell said there were 29 traffic collisions in that area.
As of January, February and March this year there were 19 traffic collisions in this area.
“I think that can be attributed to increased attention in those areas that the officers are providing.” Russell explained.
The study also broke the 19 traffic collisions near the Alcoa overpass down to the following causes: eight following too close; five careless drivers; four failure to yield; and two driving too fast.
Another area that showed a high number of accidents is the area between the intersection of Carpenter Street and Military Road to the intersection of Arkansas 5 and Arkansas 35. Russell said there was 18 accidents that occurred during the first quarter of this year, and again only one less accident than the fourth quarter of last year.
Other areas in Benton that showed accidents: 13 collisions at the 118 Service Road and Congo Road intersection area; eight collisions at the 117 Service Road and Carpenter Street intersection; four collisions at the 116 exit service road and Sevier Street intersection area; four collisions on East Street with five in the 100 block; four collisions at the East and North street intersection; six collisions on Edison Avenue; four collisions on Alcoa Road; two collisions at Arkansas 5 and Alcoa Road intersection; and eight on the I-30 Service Road and other areas.
“Although there are a number of factors that contribute to collisions, drivers can minimize their chances of being involved in a collision by following a few simple suggestions,” Russell said.
•Keep your eyes scanning the area ahead. Don’t just look at the vehicle in front of you; scan the area in front of that vehicle for possible problems. This will allow you additional reaction time should a problem occur. When you’re yielding behind another vehicle, make sure they pull out prior to you pulling forward to keep from striking them from behind.
•Do not use your hands for anything other than controlling the wheel. If you must talk on a cell phone, then at least use a hands-free device. Also make sure your children are buckled-up and have everything they need to occupy them during the trip.
•Beware of blind spots. Don’t always depend on your mirrors when changing lanes or backing up. It is best to actually turn your head and look to make sure the area is unoccupied before repositioning your vehicle.
•Keep your vehicle in good working condition. You should occasionally inspect your vehicle for worn tires, old windshield wipers and defective headlights or taillights.
•When driving in the snow or ice, slow down. If you do not have an emergency, stay home. If you must get out, drive with caution and leave extra space between your vehicle and the one if front of you.
“The Benton Police Department is committed to your safety,” Russell said. “Please think about these safety tips the next time you get behind the wheel. Share these tips with your friends and family, especially new drivers.”
Russell said the department will be closely monitoring the areas studied and strictly enforcing all traffic laws in an attempt to prevent future collisions from occurring.
To report erratic driving or a collision, call 911 for an emergency or the police department at 778-1171 for a non-emergency.
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