Car Accident and Curvy Roads in Arkansas
Posted by
Drew DixonJanuary 02, 2008 4:52 PMThere is a reason Arkansas adopted the state motto "The Natural State." Arkansas roads traverse hills and mountains which provide travelers opportunities to enjoy scenic views while driving to their destinations. However, with these hills and mountains come curvy roads that require drivers to pay particular attention to safety for themselves and others.
Recently a Harrison man was killed and five members of his family from Little Rock were injured in a head-on collision on U.S. 65 two miles south of Leslie. Billy P. Kolb, 35, was killed about 2:10 p.m on Friday, December 28, 2007.
He was driving his 1999 Dodge Caravan south when a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Gene Whisenhunt, 46, crossed the centerline striking Kolb's vehicle, police said.
Whisenhunt's vehicle then crossed back into the northbound lane striking a 2004 Ford F-150 driven by Richard Warren, 56, of Green Forest, and both vehicles slid off the road and came to rest in a nearby culvert.
Whisenhunt and his wife, Kathy, 47, and their three children were taken to the Ozark Health Medical Center in Clinton where they were treated and discharged. Warren was uninjured, police said.
There are certain driving practices that make it safer for you and others while driving on curvy roads. First, your attention should be on the road ahead. You should not be talking on a cell phone, applying makeup, or messing with the radio while driving. Second, you should maintain a safe driving distance from the car in front of you. This means as the car ahead crosses a marker; it should take you 2-3 seconds to reach the same marker. This number should be increased from 4-5 seconds during wet or otherwise hazardous conditions. Finally, always be aware of objects in your peripheral vision. It is not uncommon to see darting deer or falling rocks as you travel on curvy roads in Arkansas.
While this event was unfortunate it should be a reminder to everyone to pay particular attention to safety when traveling curvy roads.
For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.