The conversation about Highway 365 has to continue beyond the residual effects of the tragedy of 10 days ago.
When the road first came through the county, the population and traffic levels were dramatically different. As those factors have grown exponentially, the dangers have grown as well.
Of the 30-plus entry points to Highway 365 in the 65 mph zone of Highway 365, some are more developed than others. There are a few traffic lights at major roads, but far more prevalent are the small side roads that have just been there for many years.
Some of them are entry points for folks to only go right, while others allow you to go both ways. Some of the inroads to the highway are so small, they are practically individual driveways.
Our local law enforcement officials have pressed the Department of Transportation and our legislators to enact measures to get something done to protect drivers from themselves, and some of that work is already underway. Highway 365 has become more like an interstate than a country road, and it has to be treated as such to ensure everyone’s safety. You would not see someone’s driveway dumping right out onto Interstate 85 and nor should you.
There are two main flaws in the plan, as it is not as simple as just closing off some entry roads.
First, the DOT has to study the traffic pattern in those areas and make sure folks have a way to access those same areas without the access points that are available now. If someone, for example, goes to their house straight from the highway, how will they get to their house alternatively? The DOT needs to be prepared to address those types of concerns as well, which probably should have been looked at previously without the tragedy of five people dying to spur action.
Second, and more difficult, is finding a way to legislate driver behavior.
It is difficult to impart to someone the ideas of respect for one’s fellow man who wants to drive more than 150 mph on a public highway. That is a respect that we must all have so that everyone’s family gets home safely, but is a respect many drivers lack.
We also have a large contingent of impaired drivers on our roads, as our Habersham County Sheriff’s HEAT Unit knows all too well. While our unit is commendable, it is disappointing that this county sees so many impaired drivers travel through on a daily basis.
There are answers out there and improvements that can be made. We have to find those together and keep the conversation going.