June 15, 2007
Albany - - Drivers in Albany are doing a better job navigating the roads. A new report says there were 100 fewer crashes and 40 % few fatalities last year than the year before. The news comes as city leaders are in the middle of several projects to make Albany highways and intersections safer for you.
Whether you're a calm driver or one who suffers from road rage, we all have to share the road. Some places you have to be a little more careful when driving than others. A new report tells you where you may want to practice a little extra caution.
An emergency can strike at any moment at any location, especially on the roads. Nottingham Way and Westover Blvd. in Albany seems to be home to crashes.
"The Nottingham Way study has been conducted. We've had outside consultants that have come in to make recommendations about alleviating traffic congestion and how to improve traffic movement in those areas," says Michele DeMott of Albany Safe Communities.
Dawson Rd. and Westover Blvd. is the number two location on the crash list. That's up from number four from last year's report.
Eight other areas make this year's top 10 list including:
-Mock Rd and Oglethorpe Blvd.
-Clark Ave. and Cordele Rd.
-Dawson Rd. and Whispering Pines Rd.
-W. Oglethorpe Blvd. and Slappey Blvd.
-Gillionville Rd. and Westover Rd.
-E. Oglethorpe Blvd. and Radium Springs Rd.
-Gillionville Rd. and Slappey Blvd.
-N. Jefferson St. and Liberty Expressway (East Bound off ramp)
The data comes from a city study conducted each year to inform you of high risk areas. It also helps city planners.
"It lets us know where we have high crash locations so that we can go out and conduct traffic studies and look at engineering and enforcement issues that can be addressed," DeMott says.
It reveals why crashes occurred in these top 10 areas. Rear end collisions made up 45 % of accidents. Right-angle crashes accounted for 17 % and 30 % came from right-angle, left turn collisions.
It's not all bad news though. Crashes last year were down three percent from the previous year.
"That tells us that people are paying more attention to traffic signals and not running the red light as often and not running the stop sign as often," she says.
Several traffic improvements are planned over the next few years. One of them is a redesign of the Moultrie Road and Liberty Expressway interchange. There are also plans to upgrade traffic signals on Oakridge Drive from Jackson street to Newton Road. Also, Clark Avenue will be widened to three lanes in each direction from the Liberty Expressway east to Cordele Road.
The city has also completed some traffic improvements. Several schools now have solar-powered school zone flashing signals. Also, a new signal was installed on old Dawson Road at Point North Boulevard.
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