May 1, 2000
Car accidents are a common occurance on one stretch of Salt Lake's Highland Drive. And people who live and work in the area want the county to do something about it.
One intersection, Holladay Blvd. which joins Highland Drive at 4190 South, has had about 130 accidents in the last couple of years.
News Specialist Shelley Osterloh has the story.
If you drive Highland Drive between 33rd South and 45th South you've seen the problem.
Four busy lanes of fast moving traffic, and no left hand turn lanes.
The inside lanes often come to a screeching halt when one driver tries to turn left.
It's a recipe for accidents.
Jason Scott/accident witness: "I'VE SEEN TWO ACCIDENTS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS."
Lynn Wilkinson/accident victim: "MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN, WAS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT, AND THE CAR COMING BEHIND ME DIDN'T NOTICE THAT I WAS STOPPED, AND I WAS REAR ENDED. AND WE'VE HAD SEVERAL PATIENTS HERE IN OUR OFFICE COMING IN FOR APPOINTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN HIT AS WELL."
Brandee Atkins/works in area: "YOU CAN'T SEE WHEN YOU GO TO TURN LEFT, AND SO PEOPLE COME UP BEHIND... WE'VE HAD FIVE ACCIDENTS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS."
Shelley Osterloh, Eyewitness News: "THE PROBLEM IS OBVIOUS, TOO MUCH TRAFFIC FOR TOO NARROW A STREET. BUT DEPUTIES SAY DRIVERS WHO DON'T PAY ATTENTION, SHARE THE BLAME."
Dep. Mike Leary/S.L.County Sheriff's Dept.: "ANY TIME YOU COMBINE LOTS OF CARS WITH DRIVERS THAT AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO THEIR DRIVING RESPONSIBILITY, A CRASH IS INEVITABLE."
And Leary says many drivers go too fast on the 40 mile an hour road.
People in the area have complained about the situation, but the county says there is no short term fix.
Kevyn Smeltzer/Operations Manager, S. L. County: "THE ROAD IS STRIPED WITH LANES FROM THE EDGE OF ASPHALT TO ASPHALT, AND SO THERE'S REALLY NOTHING WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW, WITHOUT MAJOR CHANGES TO THE ROAD. AND THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THIS ROAD IS TO MOVE TRAFFIC THROUGH."
The county plans to widen Highland Drive between 33rd and 45th South next year. But for now, the best advice is slow down and be aware.
