TDOT Crash Report and Analysis for Highway 444
This is the second article in the HOA/POA Highway 444 Safety Project Introduction series. In the fourth quarter of 2015 (4Q15) the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), Region 1 compiled a report on the crash data for Highway 444 for the three year period from January, 2012 through December, 2014. The crash data for 2015 is still being compiled. This crash analysis will be used to determine the need and location of safety improvements for the highway.
For those of us who have lived in Tellico Village for more than a few years, we have observed a substantial increase in traffic volume on Highway 444 at all times of the day. At the end of the period there were a little over 8800 vehicles traveling on the highway per day at the north end and just over 6000 vehicles per day in the south. During this three year period there were 108 crashes which resulted in one fatality, 3 incapacitating injuries and 20 other injury crashes. The crashes have occurred along the entire 11 mile length of Highway 444 but seem to cluster in the area of major curves in the highway. Fifty-four percent of the crashes involved deer strikes. Deer strike locations are fairly evenly distributed along the highway (see the map).
By far, most of the accidents occurred during daylight hours (66%) and when there were no adverse weather conditions (85%). Although this could be related to traffic volumes, it might also suggest that drivers are more careful, drive at lower speeds and are less aggressive at night and when it is raining or snowing. If the latter is true, the message for all of us is, if we drive all of the time with the same caution that we do during nighttime and adverse weather conditions there may be fewer accidents.
If you are one of those involved in any of these crashes it is small consolation to know that the accidents per motor vehicle (acc/MVM) mile along Highway 444 is below the state average (1.211 acc/MVM compared to the state average of 1.709 acc/MVM). This suggests that in spite of the fact that usage has increased substantially over the years, Highway 444 is a pretty safe road. Nevertheless, the HOA and POA Committee will remain diligent in working with TDOT to make Highway 444 even safer as traffic volumes continue to increase.
The attached map shows the location of each incident and the attached table describes the type of crash and the road and weather conditions. Based on their crash analysis TDOT identified 6 intersections and one road segment where safety improvements could be made. In the coming months the Liaison Committee will be working with TDOT to determine what those improvements might be.
Finally, you may have noticed the speed radar trailer parked along Highway 444. That trailer is owned by the POA and is intended to remind drivers of the speed limit and to slow down if they exceed it. In addition, the trailer records the number of vehicles that pass and their speed. That data will be used in the future to prioritize the highway safety improvements that the Liaison Committee will propose to TDOT.
During the seven day period that the trailer has been deployed the data showed that 49,793 vehicles were driving under the speed limit (probably because drivers jammed on the brakes when they saw the trailer.J) so that’s good. But, there were 52121 vehicles that exceeded the limit, that’s bad. Worse, 1908 vehicles exceeded 60 MPH and 67 exceeded 70 MPH. You will continue to see that trailer in different parts of the highway as we collect data and remind drivers to slow down. The Sheriff’s Department has also agreed to increase patrols to control speeding. So set your cruise control to 50 and be safe.
Future articles in this Project Introduction series will include a summary of the state highway maintenance and repair guidelines and the project prioritization and budgeting process written by TDOT. Another article will provide additional detail on the types of safety improvements that will occur in 2016 and a summary of the long range improvements that will be considered and the eventual resurfacing of the full length of Highway 444 in 2018.
FINAL Feb 14, 2
TDOT 444 Crash Map – February 12, 2016