Dealing with a tragedy... Need your input

[Aidensmom]

There are very few left exits here (and I can't think of any that are on I-75, but I just may not have noticed).

What is an HOV lane?

 

[Lanshark]

Robin,

The intersection you are referring is a very odd intersection. I seem to recall another going on 75 north, around the metro area. I once got caught in the left HOV lane as it was exiting the HWY but it was daylight and I realized my mistake. Unfortunately, this poor man did not have that advantage. It's tragic that it's taken this long and cost this many lives for the DOT to address the issue.

 

[JoenAdamnErinnSam]

As C.Ann said, there is one that I can think of and it was on my route to work,so, I was used to it. That being said, I think my major problem with it is that you are trying to exit from the "high speed" lane. This is particularly difficult in bad weather. You want to slow down some to exit and you have the idiots(oops,sorry) who think they should be able to continue on their merry way at 80+ miles an hour. It's a recipe for disaster. JMHO

 

[kejoda]

Robin I thought the same thing as you when I first heard about this. WE have left exits here in the Twin Cites but honestly I'm not sure if they are better marked or that I just know the roads. I do think that it should be better marked with lights. Maybe 1 halfway with a yellow flashing stop ahead light and then at the end a red flashing light. I'm just assuming that you have to stop no matter what at the end of the turn off.

I did hear on 1 news show that this happens 8 times a year. Thats far too many.

 

[lindakmonty]

we have left exits here too... couldn't they put those rumble strips there pretty easily? They use those here quite a bit near rail road tracks, stop signs and dangerous intersections.... seems like that would be a very easy, and inexpensive way to warn drivers it is a sad situation!

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Aidensmom....HOV is High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes and are reserved for any vehicle with 2 or more people in it. It's supposed to encourage car pooling and such since that lane generally moves faster than the parking lots we call I-85, I-75, 285 and 400 around here. It was a tragic accident. I work at Childrens Healthcare and at first we were told it was a little league team. We were on standby for a community disaster. It being college aged kids made it no better. I was glued to the TV in every room I went into that day.

 

[MushyMushy]

I don't understand what happened. Did he go too fast off that exit, thinking it was still the highway, and go through the stop sign? And then what?

Nevermind, I found the animation. So, it looks like he went straight across that highway, and then tried to stop before hitting the wall, which is why the bus landed on its side, right?

 

[poohandwendy]

Very few left exits here. I can totally understand how that would be confusing and potentially dangerous. Especially if there isn't much traffic (for you to see the pattern of people slowing down drastically)

Such an awful tragedy. Prayers for all involved.

 

[JJClemson]

I live 5 miles north of this exit and pass it everyday on my way to work. I just moved here a few months ago, and both DF and I noticed how confusing this exit was before the accident. I can easily see how someone not from the Atl area would mistake the exit ramp for the freeway. It's so sad I really hope the GA Dept of Transportation does something about this.

 

[Robinrs]

Thanks everyone. I even started crying when I read this thread...

My mother in law works at the hospital the coach is in. It's such a sad situation all around.

sharbear: I am so glad the driver is not being blamed. He lost his life and his wife. I'm sure his family is needs support instead of vilification.

Ron: I don't travel at night because I have night blindness. I definitely would not use THAT exit. It's scared me for years!

John: Thanks. The city is in a major funk. The sadness is doubled by the fact that no one seems to think this will happen again and that 8 times a year is not BAD??? It really makes me sick.

lindakmonty: The rumble strips are a GREAT idea!

Thanks for the inside info, hiwaygal!

Again, I plan to put in suggestions which they claim they want from the public. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that a light is NEEDED there.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

As I mentioned this weekend, I have been following this because one of the deceased players, David Betts, ran cross-country with my niece who is a HS senior now. The funeral is Friday or Saturday at his HS. I only wanted to add two things I've read in the Toledo paper. One, the guys on the bus had been driven by this couple 2 or 3 times before and liked them a lot--not a bad word about them. Two, today some players reported that as the bus was about to crash the wife was screaming "It's not the highway!" so she had realized her husband's mistake. As someone has mentioned, there are very few left exits in the NW Ohio area and those few are very clearly marked. I think it's a tragic accident but if this intersection is prone to problems it's time to fix it!
Robin M.

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Robin, it bothered me too to hear the local powers that be compare this to other areas in the city and say they don't see a great need to change things. Obviously, there is a problem. When DH and I are in the city together, he always uses the HOV lane and there have been times as a passenger, that I've gotten scared because I couldn't tell where he was supposed to be. Atlanta is a great place to live, but a horrible place to drive. I'm with you that there has to be a better solution than complacency.

 

[Talking Hands]

Only one I can think of is the one from the Florida Turnpike onto I-75. I missed it last time I was driving to Tampa and ended up driving to Orlando and then heading across I-4 instead.

 

[disney1990]

How about blinking yellow lights on both sides of the road as you "exit" the freeway. Also, make the road exit several times "on the exit ramp" to indicate a changing situation and the need to slow down.

From what I understand, yes he was a fresh driver -- changed very recently. But, it was early in the morning and still dark outside.

 

[lajones81]

The bus that fell on I-75 Friday was at my exit to work. If you haven't heard about it this is an article on it: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/03/02/bus.accident/index.html


I pass it everyday and flowers and wreaths now adorn it. Six people lost their lives there on an exit that I've been complaining about for YEARS. It's terribly confusing but nothing is ever done about it.

Everyday the Dept of Transportation is on the TV talking about it. They want "suggestions" on how to better this exit. I'd like to know something about your expressways...

Does your area have many LEFT EXITS? Is the signage clear and given for miles?

Seems like the driver took this exit thinking it was still the expressway..??? That blew my mind unless it's not something he is used to seeing... is that possible?

Thanks in advance.

I feel so sad for all of the individuals involved in this situation.

There are a few lefthand exits in Wisconsin that I can think of. When I visit my family I make a special note on the directions that the exit lane is on the lefthand side.

to everyone involved.