Recent studies by Benton police have produced results similar to previous studies: Three streets in the city remain the most dangerous.
Lt. Kevin Russell, public information officer, said the department is conducting the studies in an effort to make the streets safer by educating motorists about potential dangers.
The streets of most concern to police and city officials are Military Road from Carpenter Street to Northshore Drive; the 121 mile marker, or the Alcoa Road overpass area, on Interstate 30; and the intersection of Carpenter Street and Military Road to the intersection of Arkansas 5-35.
“We want to reduce the number of accidents,” Russell said. “I think the street department can also look at the information to also help alleviate problem areas for vehicle traffic.”
Police also may enlist help from the Arkansas Highway Patrol and from school resource officers who, Russell said, are helping educate teenage motorists through driver education classes at Benton High School.
Since fourth-quarter studies were conducted in 2008, there have been a total of 241 accidents on the three roads designated most dangerous, police said.
Overall there were 143 accidents in the city in the second quarter (April, May and June), with the most being in the area of Military Road from Carpenter Street to Northshore Drive, where 38 were reported. Eleven of the accidents were caused by careless driving, nine for following too closely, eight for failure to yield, seven for running a red light, and two resulting from lane changes.
Russell said the accidents occur in these areas because of varying factors, but he believes if drivers would take a few extra precautions, the numbers could dramatically decrease.
“Drivers can minimize their chances of being involved in a collision by following a few simple suggestions,” Russell said. “If we can continue getting this information out to drivers, then, hopefully, we can make all of our roadways safer. 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.”
The tips he suggested are:
•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 in front of you.
Comparing the 2009 second quarter accident statistics to previous months, the area of Military Road from Carpenter Street to Northshore Drive recorded 35 accidents in the first quarter of 2009 (January, February and March): 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). The study showed there was one fewer accident since the fourth quarter of 2008 (October, November and December) when 36 accidents occurred, Russell said.
In (April, May, and June) 2009, the 121 mile marker area of Interstate 30 (Alcoa overpass) including the connecting service roads showed 29 vehicle accidents: the main contributing factors were failure to yield (17 of the collisions) and careless driving (nine of the collisions). In the first quarter (January, February, and March) there were 19 traffic collisions in this area. Last October, November and December, there were 29 traffic collisions in that area, Russell said.
“The number of accidents decreased from 2008 to the first three months of 2009, but in the second quarter of 2009 those numbers elevated again,” Russell explained.
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. In October, November and December 2008, there were 19 traffic collisions and 18 were reported in January, February and March of 2009. In April, May and June of this year, an additional 18 collisions occurred in that area.
Other areas in Benton where accidents have been reported were: 13 on Alcoa Road, nine on the I-30 service road areas, eight on Edison Avenue, eight on Arkansas 5 South, six at the 117 exit of the I-30 service road, six on Arkansas 5 North, five at the 118 service road and Congo Road intersection area, and a combined 14 collisions in the 116 service road exit, Interstate 30 and Military Road service exit, 5 to 100 block of East Street, South Street and the North and East streets intersection.
Russell said the department will be closely monitoring the areas studied and strictly enforcing all traffic laws in an attempt to prevent future collisions.
To report erratic driving or a collision, call 911 for an emergency or the police department at 778-1171 for a non-emergency.
|
Razorbacks
