Although I’m not big on posting qualifiers when writing blogs, this is probably one of those times where I’m very much aware one may be needed. So here goes.

 

When it comes to motorists on highways, secondary roads and even residential roadways, we all could stand to pay more attention. We could all be a more observant of not only the laws of driving, but be more cognizant of others. And I really don’t think I should explain the issues involving texting and cell phone use while driving.

 

That said, in my two-plus years with Connect-Bridgeport, there seems to be some areas that are extremely prolific when it comes to the number of wrecks experienced. I say the word “seems” because there’s nothing scientific about what I write here. These are simply my observations and opinions. You may agree with them or you may not; and that’s certainly fine.

 

It all started when I talked to an emergency responder for just a second last week for another wreck near the section of Route 50 and the entrance to the Main Street McDonald’s. I had seen the responder there before and made mention of it and the responder said something to the tune of “been at this location more this year than I can remember.”

 

For starters, I’ve been there more in the past several months than I can remember as well. Along with the most recent wreck, where serious injury was avoided, one accident involved a motorcycle and an eventual fatality. That wreck is still under investigation.

 

From a very novice point of view, the entire area there is problematic, particularly at certain times of the day. The setting sun can often create problems with visibility limited to just 10 to 20 feet and when vehicles come down the hill the possibility is real that someone pulling out can’t see them because the vehicle in question is blocked by a car turning into the McDonald’s and Pizza Hut. (Again – be cautious and please read qualifier above).

 

Is it an issue that the West Virginia Division of Highways needs to revisit? At a minimum, some kind of study should be done to determine if anything can be done.

 

That’s not the only area of concern. For whatever reason, I believe it is mile marker 122 on Interstate 79 – particularly the northbound lane – near the rest area where I’ve witnessed probably a dozen wrecks. Some have said that it’s an area where cars hydroplane in bad weather, which may be the case, but I’ve also been on several accidents in the same area when the weather was pristine.

Does it have something to do with motorists crossing lanes trying to get to the rest area at the last moment? Are those same cars cutting over causing others to swerve and miss? Again, I have no answers, but my spider sense tingles whenever I hear fire truck and ambulance sirens going off and the words “Vehicle Accident with Injury” shows up on the Harrison County 911 log on the internet near that mile marker.

 

As for what can be done there? I’ll gladly take your input (besides telling me people need to be more cautious because at this point you should know that’s already part of the consideration).

 

There was one other area I was recently reminded of that’s a bit troublesome. This one isn’t the site of a lot of accidents, but one where I’ve had a few near misses and one of the roads in question I no longer utilize. The section of Virginia Avenue where it intersects with Jefferson Street is just a terrible place for a car to negotiate an entrance onto a roadway – being from Jefferson on to Virginia.

Again, I’m fully aware there are people that utilize that roadway daily with no problems. But anyone speeding on Virginia Avenue heading toward Main Street makes all the caution in the world a moot point as there’s little room for error.

 

On one of my favorite Facebook pages – I Remember Bridgeport WV – there’s always good feedback regarding issues. Very rarely is anyone nasty to one another and issues can be debated in good spirit. That said, following a recent wreck at the Virginia-Jefferson intersection a poster mentioned that a mirror used to be positioned for use by those coming down Jefferson to see if cars were approaching. While that may not eliminate the problem, it couldn’t hurt to have one installed again if it’s feasible.

 

Are there other areas that are traffic trouble spots with accidents in Bridgeport? Absolutely. The Route 50-Emily Drive and Route 50-Lodgeville are certainly frequent spots where accidents occur and Jerry Dove Drive between the hospital and the entrance to Charles Pointe are also places I frequent due to accidents.

 

I’m sure there are others. In fact, please feel free to add your own in the comment section below. Maybe, just maybe, someone will read this and have an idea that could save a life. Even better, maybe someone reading this will exercise a little more caution in those areas and be able to prevent one as well. But, hey, I’ve already said that a few times so feel free to say it as well.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo is of a wreck this past week on U.S. Route 50 near the entrance to McDonald's, while the second photo is from this past winter at the entrance to Charles Pointe on Jerry Dove Drive. The bottom photo is of a wreck along I-79 near the rest areas in Bridgeport.