Maybe we need a change
It’s happened again. Another family member has been banged around near my least favorite interchange anywhere — Broadway Extension and Interstate 44.
Come to think of it, the color red was involved … again.
I think it might be time to consider some alternatives.
Wednesday, my daughter-in-law, Kristy, was on her way home during rush hour when she had to slow down quickly in traffic. The driver behind her apparently didn’t see what was happening in time and her vehicle slammed into Kristy’s bright red car. The force of the impact was severe enough to cause Kristy’s car to roll onto its side, then right itself.
Her injuries may be minor, but the car looks pretty bad. Actually, both cars were heavily damaged, if not totaled.
That area is bad enough, but add the heavy rush-hour traffic (morning or night) and it becomes a nightmare.
That’s what got my son back in his college days, just up the road and on the other side from where Kristy’s accident occurred. He was driving my vehicle (which was red … OK, maroon … and white) to school and had a collision with a woman in a van who came up from the access road, as I recall. Luckily, no one was injured.
And I’ve heard numerous stories from readers about hits and near-misses on either side of the interchange, particularly the northbound east side, where vehicles attempt to get onto the Extension.
Now, with construction under way and to continue for at least a few years, that interchange is even MORE dangerous. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the city, the police department, The Oklahoman, other news media … we’ve all tried to warn motorists, but you can count on accidents.
So once again I offer this reminder to be careful, patient and pay attention if you have to drive through that interchange. Use an alternate route if you can. And maybe avoid driving anything red?
Read more about traveling Oklahoma streets and highways in my Traffic Talk column each Monday in The Oklahoman and every day on NewsOK.com.
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Comments
Actually, David, the column was under way before Kristy had her accident. It was all but finished when I learned about it. The column was written because I had a couple of notes from readers and had just experienced another such episode myself, where a young driver sniffed my pickup fumes. She’s lucky I didn’t slam on the brakes. Very lucky. You are correct in your comments on the “cushion.” And, as Kristy found I, just because you’re playing it safe doesn’t mean the driver behind you is. We need our young drivers to be aware of these things for sure. Thanks again.
Is the “David Boggs” who posted above the same “David Boggs” involved in the head on collision on Ponca City Lake Road on June 1, 1981?
Hmmm – was your Oct. 24th article in The Oklahoman, “‘Cushion’ can protect against sudden stops” a response, at least in part, to Kristy’s accident?
I try (& am still trying) to teach my family (wife & sons) all the lessons I’ve learned in life about driving. One of those is to be aware of your surroundings. The obvious part of that is to be aware of ALL the traffic in front of you. But I feel many drivers forget what is going on behind them. Now, for the lesson.
When driving down the road or highway, be sure to keep that ‘cushion’ between you & the traffic in front of you. In your determination of the ‘cushion’ keep in mind that you not only need to stop your vehicle but you may need to stop the vehicles behind you.
Why? Someday you may be driving a vehicle containing not only yourself but someone you love more than even yourself. It might be someone totally dependent upon you for their safety. Learn from your driving experiences, it might save a precious life someday.
By the way, I am sending a copy of your ‘Cushion’ article to my grandson (he just started driving) along with some of the comments I just made in this post.