Another Highway 89 Head-on Collision (Prescott, Chino Valley: construction, taxes, live)

[DellNec]

This one is a double fatality:

Two killed, one injured in Highway 89 crash - The Prescott Daily Courier - Prescott, Arizona

This Chino Valley to Prescott highway should have been widened and/or center dividers added MANY years ago. These are all too common. The huge increase in traffic, plus the usual 60MPH speeds, this 2 lane highway is a disaster.

[wa3pnt]

Well I am out on the road 90% of the time, and in fact I'm up in eastern Oregon right now at a Rodeo. That stretch of 89 is a lot better than MANY of the roads I travel, with the passing lane on the uphill side of both the North and Soutbound stretches.

No road improvement, short of a center concrete barrier, will prevent the type of accident that happened. When someone crosses over the centerline, you're going to have the type accident that happened.

What would you suggest? Lower the speed limit to 35?

If you're that concerned, I'd suggest that you just stay at home.

After having put 24 years in the Marine Corps, I'm certainly not a fatalist, and look at each day as a gift, rather than a liability that brings gloom and doom.

George

[keninaz]

I agree, the road is straight and not all that busy compared to many roads I have seen and should not be a problem. And I don't see the speed limit set on that straight road as a problem either.
I think the problem is inattentive drivers and we do have our share of them around here.
I also see in looking at the article that this happened at the CV town limits sign and isn't the speed limit 45 MPH there?

[Esenjay]

Speed limit reduces from 65 to 55 at that point (or goes from 55 to 65 if traveling south). 45 speed limit is a little further into CV, near the roundabout.

Bottom line here is that you can't nanny everything in life. The road is fine if people don't do stupid things that cause them to pose a risk to themselves or other drivers. This is true on all roads, not just highway 89. Reading the article it was an issue with a driver making a mistake (crossing the center line) for some reason. That can happen anywhere. Walking your dog you might get runover by a driver who veers. Can't mitigate everything, just have to keep your eyes open all the time, be aware. Even then some things you just can't avoid. Pretty sad accident, I wonder if it was preventable (meaning, the driver of the truck was on cell phone or something, as opposed to losing control because of mechanical or health-related issue).

If the cost is excessive to widen 89 between CV city limit and airport and funds come out of a specific pool, then it's probably better spent on other roads in CV that need more attention (potholes, etc.). If the funds are available for that stretch of road specifically then sure, widen it or divide it. I'm sure there are circumstances, financial and otherwise, that need to be considered before making that decision.

[DellNec]

DOT has stated that high traffic 2-lane highways with no center median/barrier are THE WORST and MOST dangerous highways in the USA. That is exactly what Highway 89 is between Chino Valley and Prescott.

Have you ever seen the traffic on the highway in the morning and evening rush hours? People begin passing each other because they are stuck behind cars on this 2 lane highway.

Go back and read all the comments left by people. 99% of them are for redesigning the highway:

"How many people will have to die before that road is divided? I have lived in Prescott 25 years and the amount of injuries and deaths between Chino and Prescott are ridiculous!"

"It always takes fatalities before enactment is done by the state to re-engineer roadways.
How many more will it take before the road is divided?"

[keninaz]

I can see it now, we obviously need cement barriers on all 2 lane roads throughout the country.
And what about foam rubber installed around all the cars and trucks on the road for additional protection just in case.
And people should not ride motorcycles at all as they are too hard to see and it's dangerous.
Get a life and quit worrying!

[DellNec]

Originally Posted by keninaz

Get a life and quit worrying!

This is a forum and we discuss topics pertaining to events in the area. Two people died the other day and dozens of others have been killed on this highway in the past couple of years.

[Esenjay]

OK, so you've stated what you want. How is that going to come about? Are you going to pay for it? Meaning, Prescott? As I see it, the problem road is in Prescott city limits. So, will Prescott be footing the bill for the construction? Or are they expecting CV to foot the bill? That's where it gets all murky. If you really want this fixed then who are you talking too in local/state government to make this happen?

Or is this basically yet another post on the same subject, something you've posted on a dozen times in the past year and of course are bringing out the same old soapbox because there's been another accident? Using the deaths of people in that accident to further bang the drum?

You seem like you're pretty passionate about many terrible and dangerous issues within Yavapai county. Are you doing anything about them outside of constant gloom-laden posts? Are you looking at the reality of economy and bureaucracy to get things done, or are you just ranting without any real notion of plausible solution? Saying this or that must be done is a long ways away from the practicality of making it happen. If your taxes get raised to pay for this highway (and the swarm of other issues you post on) are you going to be happy about that? Or will that be yet another topic for bitter reflection?

I think any reasonable person would agree the road could be made safer. Most logical people would then ask what is the cost and who's going to pay for it (and would that money be better spent elsewhere), what logistics are involved? Have you asked that?

[keninaz]

Originally Posted by DellNec

This is a forum and we discuss topics pertaining to events in the area. Two people died the other day and dozens of others have been killed on this highway in the past couple of years.

But I am not allowed to discuss the main problem here.

[shroom]

Originally Posted by DellNec

Two people died the other day and dozens of others have been killed on this highway in the past couple of years.

"Dozens"? Really??
To which official source would you refer me if I want to confirm the number of fatalities attributable to motor vehicle accidents on 89 between CV & Prescott?