Accidents On Interstate 81 In Virginia Article

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Accidents on Interstate 81 in Virginia

In Virginia, Interstate 81 takes motorists from north to south for over 325 miles, passing the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains as it makes its way down to the dual-state cities of Bristol, Virginia and Bristol, Tennessee.

Author: Sara Goldstein

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This infamous highway quickly takes travelers from flatlands to mountain vistas, over diverse and often challenging territory.

Despite how scenic I-81 is, it has proven dangerous for thousands of motorists. The steep grades and incessant truck traffic have made the narrow lanes prone to frequent accidents. The Virginia Transportation Research Council recently reported according to statistics, I-81 is the deadliest of Virginia’s five interstates.

Increasing Truck Traffic on Interstate 81
When I-81 was built in the 1960s, it was meant to accommodate a 15% ratio of tractor-trailer traffic. Unfortunately, commercial trucks now take up a full 40% of traffic on the highway, and congestion from regular passenger vehicles continues to grow as well.

Since 1975, the volume of traffic on most segments of I-81 has tripled, according to the Federal Highway Administration. When the trucking industry was deregulated in 1980, hundreds of new trucking companies started up, making it easier for truck drivers to obtain licenses. This effectively quadrupled the amount of commercial trucks out on the road. Today, I-81 is one of the top eight most frequently-used trucking routes in the United States.

The combination of dangerously steep and narrow roads, excessive truck traffic, and increasing congestion from passenger vehicles has made I-81 notorious for severe and often deadly motor vehicle accidents.

Preventing Accidents on Interstate 81
State officials are well aware of the accident problem on this mountainous interstate. The Virginia Department of Transportation has already spent tens of millions of dollars widening bridges and adding truck lanes to certain sections of I-81.

However, any long-term solutions to the problem of traffic volume will be expensive. The state’s current estimates are in the $13 billion range, and could potentially take over a decade to implement. Even worse, some recent budget cuts in Virginia have lessened the amount of overnight parking available for fatigued truckers who absolutely need to get off of the interstate and get some sleep.

Despite the fact that I-81 is well known for accident severity and frequency, some motorists still do not exercise enough caution when traveling the highway. Speeding, fatigue, and distracted driving are responsible for many of the truck and car accidents that continue to plague I-81. As motorists wait for the highway to be properly expanded, they need to take extra measures to ensure other drivers – and themselves – are not being put at risk.

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If you have suffered injuries from medical malpractice including birth injuries, emergency room malpractice, or anesthesia malpractice, contact us today. The personal injury attorneys in Roanoke, Virginia can help you! Contact Kalfus & Nachman for a free case evaluation.

For more information about accidents on Interstate 81 in Virginia, please visit the website of the experienced Virginia accident lawyers at Kalfus & Nachman today.

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Accidents on Interstate 81 in Virginia