460, three vehicles, seven people, three dead with two others critically injured.
Sadly, this event yesterday adds to a growing list of severe and fatal car accidents along the 460 by-pass between Christiansburg and Blacksburg, primarily occurring between Peppers Ferry Road and Southgate Drive.
On August 1, the speed limit was increased to 65 mph. Four months afterwards, drivers find an odd combination of traffic flowing from 50 to 75 mph with truckers slowly climbing hills or people fearful of curves over bridges, quirky maneuvering at an exit reminiscent of Roanoke's Peters Creek Road near another regional mall, to those who seem to smell I-81 just a few miles away and earnestly try to push anyone in front of them out of their way or to go even faster.
During 7-9 am and 4-6 pm weekdays from Toms Creek to the Interstate, one will find a very congested roadway with heavy traffic at each entry point. Heading eastward, traffic backs up along the long exit ramp to South Franklin and Cambria, all the way back to the Peppers Ferry entrance, on most weekday evenings (think of Roanoke's horrendous Elm Avenue exit from I-581). Major home game days and key university special event dates create an even more challenging driving experience for locals or those passing through from I-81 to I-77 in Princeton, WV.
It still isn't uncommon to see someone driving a bit oddly, and then noting cell phone use. Even though this road is relatively new construction, this section of 460 has little to prevent errant vehicles from crossing over into oncoming lanes. During hard financial times statistics also show many car owners press normal maintenance a bit further, so mechanical failure may become more common and a contributing factor in accidents, too.
Local governments -- the two towns and the county -- may need to circle back with VDOT if this sad and dangerous trend continues, revisiting the decision to increase the speed limit while also looking for additional steps which should be taken to minimize accidents and fatalities. People can now question many elements of the design of the by-pass, as built, and the where or why of accidents. It is what it is now, but some safety steps are certainly available to help mitigate future tradegies such as the one last night.
Peppers Ferry Road already has the sad title for being known locally as "The Road of Death." Our community doesn't need another one of those.
Update: Fatalities Identified