Thursday, October 14, 2004

Before I-65 opened and alleviated the traffic congestion, U.S. 31-W, which runs through Simpson County, was one of the most traveled and most dangerous roads in the southeast. Unfortunately, the danger is still there.

Federal, state and local officials have started a campaign that will focus on education, emergency response, enforcement and engineering along U.S. 31-W, which was identified as the most dangerous road in the Barren River Development District.

Data from the state’s Division of Traffic Operations showed that 2,552 accidents resulting in 10 deaths and 1,065 injures were reported on U.S. 31-W in the BRADD area from 2001 to 2003. Simpson County had the second-highest number of accidents (544 resulting in one death and 211 injuries) during the two-year span, ranking behind only Warren County (1,945 accidents resulting in seven deaths and 820 injuries).

The project will be funded by a $247,000 federal grant.

Most of the accidents on the highway have been blamed on driver inattention or inexperience. Organizers stress that motorists who wear their seat belts and obey the speed limit do their part in making driving safer.