Editorial: The lessons of three wrecks
Many may not see the significance of three separate vehicle crashes that took place on Friday. However, all three illustrate three separate traffic issues in and around Havelock.
The first happened Friday morning on Catfish Lake Road, where two people were injured. According to the N.C. Highway Patrol, the driver was exceeding a safe speed on the dirt and gravel road.
That crash could have proven tragic, as somehow the Toyota Tacoma came within feet of flipping into a roadside canal but instead flipped back on the roadway.
In the big picture, the crash prompted more debate about whether the road should be paved. Some say it should be closed, especially considering the number of crashes on it, including a wreck that killed five family members last year.
We believe it is a driver’s responsibility to drive responsibly on that road. We don’t believe roads cause crashes. Drivers do.
In the crash Friday, the driver was going too fast, lost control and crashed, according to the Highway Patrol. If motorists travel at a safe speed on Catfish Lake Road, crashes can be avoided.
Still, we would recommend that more warning signs be placed along the road to encourage drivers to be safe and slow down.
Another crash happened on East Main Street near Roosevelt Boulevard. It combined with the new median to completely block two lanes of traffic.
Our Havelock News Facebook page was alive with comments from residents upset about the median, and they have valid concerns. They pointed out that not only was traffic delayed, but that rescue vehicles would have a hard time getting to a crash site. In more serious crashes, seconds can be the difference between life and death, and the median will only serve to delay rescue personnel from getting to a crash quickly.
The third wreck slowed early evening traffic at U.S. 70 and Slocum Road, the intersection that leads to Cherry Point’s back gate.
As with Catfish Lake Road, we can’t blame the intersection itself. It is a high-volume area that has seen more than its share of crashes, but again, drivers are at fault.
The 55 mph speed limit at the intersection compounds the problem. Extra caution by drivers is needed at the intersection. The N.C. Department of Transportation could help by lowering the speed limit at the intersection. That combination could make the area safer for all concerned.
The bottom line is that all three crashes should serve as a reminder for all to drive safely.
