Terrible accident on 2222

[TheHarvester]

Originally Posted by safeaustin

Just from an analysis of stopping speed distance on hills and curves, I am wondering why there has not been any logical intervention...

Logic? In TEXAS?

Here's a recent photo of the head of TXDOT:


And here are the folks who come up with most of the road signs, speed limits, and other analyses:


I tried to apply for a job with this photo but they said I was overqualified:


We need to get some advice from these experts:

[equus007]

Originally Posted by safeaustin

I am a transplant from the west coast and I can safely say that I have never observed a more dangerous situation than the curved, high speed roads in and around Austin. What's more concerning is the lack of a creative solution in preventing fatalities on roads like 2222 and especially the 620 and 71 where the speed limit is 65. Just from an analysis of stopping speed distance on hills and curves, I am wondering why there has not been any logical intervention...is it economic or do our trauma hospitals need organ donations from our motoring public?! What's up?

I worked for the city briefly and can tell you it all comes down to mismanagment of the budget. The city departments are ready and willing to go but they have no funding.

However it should be mentioned that all the areas you mentioned are maintained by the State. Its TxDot. It has always been a problem. I would assume it is a bugetary problem as well but for now I'll blame it on illegal aliens because that seems to be popular. Those entrances to 35 were a huge problem for 30+ years before they did anything about them. It even got to the point that folklore evolved around the designer killing himself over the number of deaths that occured there.

The biggest problem is if someone gets timid and stops in the enterances. This is Texas. You can drive in the shoulder if you need to. If you just got on and it is not safe to change lanes you may have to get off. DO NOT STOP! If you just got out of the split and you need to exit 11th street and you can't get over...DO NOT STOP! Take the next exit and circle a block. Oh yeah, the right lane on the upper deck heading south exits eventualy. GET OVER EARLIER...DO NOT STOP!

Stopping on Texas Highways=Death

One More:
If a cop wants to pull you over on IH-35 and there isn't 20 feet of shoulder, please, exit first. They will understand. Too many cops and drivers get hit.

[austin_or_sd]

Hi TheHarvester, this is the most hilarious post that I have ever seen. But it truely sums up the TxDot. LOL

[GANKS]

Originally Posted by equus007

I worked for the city briefly and can tell you it all comes down to mismanagment of the budget. The city departments are ready and willing to go but they have no funding.

However it should be mentioned that all the areas you mentioned are maintained by the State. Its TxDot. It has always been a problem. I would assume it is a bugetary problem as well but for now I'll blame it on illegal aliens because that seems to be popular. Those entrances to 35 were a huge problem for 30+ years before they did anything about them. It even got to the point that folklore evolved around the designer killing himself over the number of deaths that occured there.

The biggest problem is if someone gets timid and stops in the enterances. This is Texas. You can drive in the shoulder if you need to. If you just got on and it is not safe to change lanes you may have to get off. DO NOT STOP! If you just got out of the split and you need to exit 11th street and you can't get over...DO NOT STOP! Take the next exit and circle a block. Oh yeah, the right lane on the upper deck heading south exits eventualy. GET OVER EARLIER...DO NOT STOP!

Stopping on Texas Highways=Death

One More:
If a cop wants to pull you over on IH-35 and there isn't 20 feet of shoulder, please, exit first. They will understand. Too many cops and drivers get hit.

This is the secret to getting out of any speeding ticket. Pull over where there is a huge amount of space, roll down all your windows and put your hands on the wheel. The first thing you ask when the officer approaches is, "Officer is this a safe spot for you to pull over or would you like me to move?" regardless if there is 30 feet of shoulder. Cops hate to pull people over where they are risking their lives in traffic. If you pull over where there is no shoulder and you block traffic you will almost always be written up.

I was going over 90 mph one day in southern Utah and didn't see a cop for 3 miles with his lights on behind me. I pulled way over to the far side of the shoulder and asked him if he was safe. He let me go and told me to slow down (I'm a little slower driver now) and my wife's jaw hit the floor.

I was on 71 yesterday and agree, that 2222 and 620 are dangerous if you aren't careful. You have to really get on the gas when you pull out or you will be be run over. I'm still a fairly aggressive driver and I was getting passed by most the traffic on 71 yesterday (I was going 75).

[TheHarvester]

The portion of 2222 that makes the morning traffic news at least once a week is an accident near "Tumbleweed Hill" -- the very steep hill heading towards Austin from the River Place intersection. The whole road is dangerous, but my anecdotal (unreliable) evidence says that River Place at 2222, along with Tumbleweed Hill, comprise the single most dangerous spot on any road in the Austin area.

The nice thing about dangerous roads is that you can drive safely on them. If you know that the situation is risky, then you slow down, keep your distance from other drivers, don't talk on your cell phone while eating a breakfast taco and screaming at your kids in the back seat --- focus attention on defensive driving and let the impatient distracted people get in their accidents. You don't have to be a victim of other drivers if you play your cards safe.

[Mike78613]

Originally Posted by pvaustin

2222 is one of the prettiest drive in Austin with all the hills and curves and views. But today I had to witness a serious accident where a motorbike skidding off the road. The guy was very seriously injured. Anyone on two wheelers...be careful there.

Please don't say that. I owned a bike. Put it down b/c of the sorry drivers here in Austin. Living here for over 10 years, I have to say they are the most petitic drivers that refuse to use a turn signal when they turn. I been almost hit twice, once on 2222 and 620/183

2222 is nice drive. I notice some major construction going on for buildings right down the major hill.

[GANKS]

Originally Posted by Mike78613

Please don't say that. I owned a bike. Put it down b/c of the sorry drivers here in Austin. Living here for over 10 years, I have to say they are the most petitic drivers that refuse to use a turn signal when they turn. I been almost hit twice, once on 2222 and 620/183

2222 is nice drive. I notice some major construction going on for buildings right down the major hill.

I've always held the conviction that using one's turn signals is a sign of weakness :-)

The other day I saw a car's bumper sticker that said something to the effect of "If you can't use your blinker, there's a good chance you can't operate the rest of the vehicle either"