For years, Littleville Mayor Kenneth Copeland has seen first hand how hazardous driving on U.S. 43 can be. Today, the danger still remains.
"The biggest problem right now is speed and water," says Copeland.
It's not uncommon to see drivers ignoring the 65 mile per hour speed limit.
"We give tickets as high as 80 or 85 miles an hour, even higher," says Copeland.
Copeland says he's tried over and over to get the Alabama Department of Transportation to add safety features, but as he puts it, they're attitude has been - small town, small priority.
"The biggest frustration has been trying to get something done on a local level," explains Copeland.
Now, a series of deadly car crashes may spur the change Copeland feels is so desperately needed. Last Wednesday, April Stewart and her son, Dalton Stewart, died when their truck hydroplaned and crashed into a ditch near Vandiver Hollow Road. On Tuesday, Charlotte Cummings Stehno was killed when her car went spinning, crossed the median, and slammed into another car.
There have been three deaths in less than a week's time. For Copeland, that meant no more waiting.
"The speed is a big factor and then when it rains, it just doubles the mishaps," says Copeland. "This is something that needs to be addressed and needs to be stopped."
On Tuesday, just hours before Stehno's accident, Copeland sent a Joe McInnes, the director of the Alabama Department of Transportation. The letter urges him to act immediatley. The safety improvements Copeland suggested were to install sturdy guard rails and median dividers, reduce the speed limit, and place a flashing light sign for rain weather.
On Wednesday morning, Copeland saw the first signs of change - crews surveying the highway.
"It's a surprise to see that it is this quick," says Copeland. "I'm just glad to see them out here."
Mayor Copeland says he spoke with ALDOT Chief Engineer Don Vaughn on Wednesday morning. According to Copeland, Vaughn told him U.S. 43 was scheduled to be repaved in 2010, but they are trying to move that date up to start as early as June.
An ALDOT spokesman says they're considering lowering the speed limit from 65 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour, and 45 miles per hour when it's raining. They also plan to look at the possibility of adding guard rails and medians.
"The biggest problem right now is speed and water," says Copeland.
It's not uncommon to see drivers ignoring the 65 mile per hour speed limit.
"We give tickets as high as 80 or 85 miles an hour, even higher," says Copeland.
Copeland says he's tried over and over to get the Alabama Department of Transportation to add safety features, but as he puts it, they're attitude has been - small town, small priority.
"The biggest frustration has been trying to get something done on a local level," explains Copeland.
Now, a series of deadly car crashes may spur the change Copeland feels is so desperately needed. Last Wednesday, April Stewart and her son, Dalton Stewart, died when their truck hydroplaned and crashed into a ditch near Vandiver Hollow Road. On Tuesday, Charlotte Cummings Stehno was killed when her car went spinning, crossed the median, and slammed into another car.
There have been three deaths in less than a week's time. For Copeland, that meant no more waiting.
"The speed is a big factor and then when it rains, it just doubles the mishaps," says Copeland. "This is something that needs to be addressed and needs to be stopped."
On Tuesday, just hours before Stehno's accident, Copeland sent a Joe McInnes, the director of the Alabama Department of Transportation. The letter urges him to act immediatley. The safety improvements Copeland suggested were to install sturdy guard rails and median dividers, reduce the speed limit, and place a flashing light sign for rain weather.
On Wednesday morning, Copeland saw the first signs of change - crews surveying the highway.
"It's a surprise to see that it is this quick," says Copeland. "I'm just glad to see them out here."
Mayor Copeland says he spoke with ALDOT Chief Engineer Don Vaughn on Wednesday morning. According to Copeland, Vaughn told him U.S. 43 was scheduled to be repaved in 2010, but they are trying to move that date up to start as early as June.
An ALDOT spokesman says they're considering lowering the speed limit from 65 miles per hour to 55 miles per hour, and 45 miles per hour when it's raining. They also plan to look at the possibility of adding guard rails and medians.
