5 Responses to “One Injured In Highway 297A, Highway 97 Wreck”

1. Bristol Park Resident on July 13th, 2015 9:51 am

   I also drive through this intersection everyday. Most of the near misses I see are due to impatient drivers that turn onto 297A from 97 and end up pulling out in front of traffic heading South on 97.
   I too have to turn onto 97 from 297A and never have an issue, unless its due to MY impatience and I “shoot the gap”. Which I confess I’ve done a couple times. Normally, I just wait until it’s safe to turn and make my turn. No different than any other intersection to me.
   All of these wrecks are avoidable by simply being a responsible driver and paying attention.
   I agree that 97 near Bristol Creek is a little narrow, but there are other side roads that can be used to avoid this turn if you are uncomfortable with it.

2. Hy 97 resident on July 13th, 2015 8:27 am

   This whole area is in bad need of an upgrade. Nine mile road is a disaster yet the county allowed the credit union to add a huge traffic load to it and then a major (500+ units) housing complex too. I don’t need to tell the people who use this road about it, they have plenty of time to sit and observe. Nine mile should have been fourlained first.

   As others have stated, the intersection of 2997A and 97 is a regular stop for the wreckers.

   Hy 97 is not adequately patrolled and has been the location of many serious wrecks recently. The road is in poor condition and way too narrow. This coupled with only minimal police patrols is only going to make things worse.

   How many more people will have to die in this area before the county finally decides to take the actions that they needed to years ago?

3. Bristol Creek resident on July 13th, 2015 6:24 am

   Jason, you are correct about people using turn signals, I always turn mine on when I get to the bridge so the person behind me can see I am going to turn, I also don’t need 1/2 a mile clear view to turn, however I will not turn in front of someone who is obviously doing over the speed limit coming down 297a and endanger my life so that the person behind me doesn’t have to stop. People seem to be in such a hurry these days that they make it dangerous for others.

4. Jason on July 12th, 2015 12:20 pm

   It would help if those turning left from 297a to 97 would use those things called “turn signals” to alert others they were planning on turning.

   It also doesnt take a clear view of more than a 1/2 mile, so one can safely make the turn or as you call “shoot the gap”. What may be beneficial is a dedicated left turn lane from 297a to 97 for those thinking they are pulling a 100 car freight train and waiting until there is absolutely no other traffic so they can get started with their turn.

   For those with vision (or judgment) issues, who dont like turning at this intersection, they have another option. All they need to do is to continue traveling on 297a for approximately 8 tenths of a mile until they reach Sherrilane, make the left turn and then connect to Hwy 97.

5. Bristol Creek resident on July 12th, 2015 8:53 am

   I drive this intersection every day and see so many near misses that it scares me. The other day I was coming up to turn onto 97 and had to stop for a car coming the other way, the car behind me, who was traveling way to fast slammed on his breaks, sounded his horn and flipped me off. People seem to think “shooting the gap” at that intersection is the normal way of driving. If they parked a police car out of sight at that intersection they would see people turning so quick they are on the wrong side of the road, slamming on their brakes because they are not paying attention and passing people to turn because they don’t think they should stop.