Richmond police have spent August and September targeting drivers along several known dangerous stretches of roadway. Car crashes can happen anywhere, yet, as with any town, there are places in Richmond where the risk is higher.
The police used the checkpoints to enforce traffic laws. For example, at a recent one, police were looking for speeding or drunk drivers, making sure drivers had valid licenses and their lights were working.
Which locations did the police choose for their checkpoints?
The locations where the checkpoints were set up included:
- KY876 (Eastern Bypass)
- Daniel Ellis Memorial Highway (Main Street)
- U.S. 25 (Robert R. Martin)
- U.S. 25 Lexington Road
- U.S. 25 South (Berea Road)
- Barnes Mill Road
Each of these roadways had higher-than-average crash rates. While a single checkpoint will not make these roads safe, law enforcement officers hope that their presence will cause motorists to second-guess their driving behaviors.
Why do some roads see more collisions than others?
Road design massively impacts safety. Designers may see a road system working well in other areas, but that does not mean it will do the same in a particular area in Richmond. Here are some of the factors road planners must take into account when deciding if a roadway design is best for an area:
- The local population: How many people live there? Where are their homes in relation to places residents frequent, such as schools and stores?
- The amount of traffic: You need a more sophisticated way to control junctions where more vehicles enter and exit.
- The type of traffic: If heavy trucks use the road a lot, requirements will be different from those used chiefly for families making short car commutes. Remember, pedestrians and cyclists also count as traffic, and planners need to prioritize their safety too.
- The weather: Flooding or freezing, or high winds are a significant risk in some areas.
If you are injured in a crash, holding the person who designed the road responsible for your injuries will be challenging. You’ll have to file an insurance claim to get the compensation that you need.