A crash-prone section of U.S. 199 between Selma and Cave Junction will be designated as a safety corridor starting Friday, May 1.
Safety corridors are designed to raise public awareness. Fines will double in the seven-mile area and motorists will see an increase in law enforcement patrols. As an added safety measure, drivers are encouraged to use their headlights at all times.
This section of Redwood Highway has a higher crash rate than other rural highways, according to ODOT Transportation Safety Coordinator Rosalee Senger. Crash rates tend to be higher in urban areas where there are more intersections.
In 2019, there were four fatal crashes in this area between June 1 and August 30.
The goal of the safety corridor, which will run through May 2022, is to encourage people to drive carefully and avoid these common errors:
- Driving too fast for conditions,
- Following too close and making improper lane changes,
- Failing to decrease speed for slow-moving vehicles.
The Illinois Valley community, including the U.S. 199 Safety Corridor Stakeholder group, has voiced support for establishing a safety corridor. Members of the group include law enforcement, emergency medical personnel, state and county road authorities and community members.
Later this year, ODOT will begin a planning study of the Redwood Highway, which will suggest safety improvements and future projects for the corridor.