dear editor,

published: April 04 2008 04:35 PM updated:: April 07 2008 12:20 PM

Has anyone but me noticed the frequency of accidents on "The Curve" where Black Oak Ridge Road meets Burnette Station Road in Seymour? My neighbor and I conservatively estimated at least once a month. Of course, we have both been affected by "The Curve". Both of our sons had accidents there.

The guard rail that prevents cars from sliding into the creek when the road is wet and slippery, stays in an almost constant state of repair. ( It is currently damaged)

Though efforts have been made to widen the entrance to Black Oak Ridge road, they haven’t stopped people from sliding into the hill coming from the opposite direction.

The entire intersection needs to be reconstructed into a 3-way STOP with a flashing red light for emphasis.

In addition, improvements to the Black Oak Ridge Road / Macon Lane corridor need to be made. What used to be a quiet country lane where even the slowest of possums could cross in relative safety, has become a major thoroughfare since the building of Kroger and the Macon Crossing Shopping Center on Chapman Highway.

I sincerely hope that some plan to rectify this problem can be undertaken before any more accidents, minor or major, occur at this location.

Thank you

Jerry Hayes (Concerned citizen of Seymour)

It has been a little over a year since I wrote the letter above. Since that time I have been witness to numerous accidents on "The Curve." This doesn’t take into account the number of accidents that I have not witnessed personally.

On April 3 I was personally INVOLVED in an accident on this ridiculously dangerous section of road. An accident had already occured just beyond the curve and was hidden from view by a group of trees along the highway until it was too late. A light rain had made the pavement slick, causing me to go into a skid. I was able to stop my vehicle without hitting an overturned vehicle in the middle of the road but unfortunately my wife, who was driving the vehicle behind me was unable to stop before running into the back of me! That's right! Both my truck and van were damaged in the same accident! Altogether three vehicles damaged within the span of only a few minutes because of the terrible design of this curve/intersection!

How many more damaged cars and trucks does it take or worse yet, do a few people have to DIE before something is done to correct this problem!

Thank you

Jerry Hayes (Concerned and Angry citizen of Seymour)

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User Comments

#1 Another View commented, on April 6, 2008 at 12:56 a.m.:

If people would drive safely for the conditions on the road, that would eliminate alot of this problem. I have lived in Cherokee Hills for 28 years now, and almost daily I go through this intersection. I've gone through in the rain, snow, sleet and any other kind of weather imaginable. I have seen may wrecks happen here, but I have never personally been involved in one. I like to think that it's because I drive more careful when the roads are slick. Especially in that area. While I do think that a caution light and/or a 3 way stop would be helpful, I don't see it happening. Until it does (if it ever does) just be more careful. And tell your wife that maybe she needs to stop following so close at such a dangerous intersection. Especially in the rain. If I read the article right, you didn't hit anyone. You stopped but your wife didn't. You can't be mad at an intersection for a wreck it didn't cause. Have your misses slow down a bit...as I mentioned, I go through there every day and the last thing I need is her following me if she drives to close. A good hint would be to leave enough room between you and the car in front of you so that if you had to slam on your breaks, you could stop before an accident is caused.

#2 Local commented, on April 7, 2008 at 2:29 p.m.:

I must agree with "Another View." If you are driving faster than you can see to stop, your going TOO FAST! If your wife failed to stop on a wet road she was recklessly following too close to the vehicle in front.

A safe drive will maintain at least 3 seconds or more from the vehicle in front. In addition to the 3 seconds add at least one second for each distraction, road hazard, or other safety concerns.

#3 Becky commented, on April 7, 2008 at 11:35 p.m.:

I would like to make a comment that the speed limit thru Seymour is 45mph. I have noticed many cars pulled over from Food City going towards Sevierville getting tickets. I think this is great! I personally like to drive faster,but there is a lot of growing business now in Seymour. Cars pass me going 60mph or more, so when they eventually get a speeding ticket it will also be for reckless driving.

#4 TNfirefighter commented, on April 9, 2008 at 9:39 p.m.:

In over 20 years of experiance in the fire service I have never seen a road, street, or highway cause an accident. Every last accident I've ever seen has been caused by the fault of a driver, mechanical issues of a vehicle (which the driver is responsible for), or a medical emergencey. If that many accident have happened at that intersection it would be wise to place a caution lite thier, it won't stop all accidents but it will slow people down, which by the way sounds like that or just palin not paying attentio is why Mr. Hayes wife hit him. I truly hope everyone is Ok and please buckle up and be careful.

#5 Another View commented, on April 10, 2008 at 9:15 a.m.:

It's good to see that people all agree. I believe Mr. Hayes anger is misplaced. As I stated in my original post, I have lived in this area for 28 years and use that intersection daily. If one just takes the time to pay attention then there should not be any trouble at all. The problem as TNfirefighter put it is from driver error. It gets so aggravating seeing people try to throw the blame on anyone or in this case anything when they have an accident. Nobody is willing to admit that they were the careless ones. I have had accidents in my past, and when it has been me at fault, I have been more than willing to admit responsibility. Now that I think about it, it seems kind of silly to blame an intersection.