Statistics show that an accident occurs once every 5 minutes in Virginia. We take preventative measures to avoid becoming another number in the crash report by limiting our distractions, using turn signals, giving space to the vehicle ahead and lowering our speeds. But sometimes, an accident is out of our control; another vehicle cuts us off, runs us off the road or speeds through a red light.

Earlier this month, a logging truck barreled through a signal light at the intersection of Route 58 and Story’s Station Road and collided with an Utz Potato Truck. Eastbound traffic was at a standstill for more than two hours as crews worked to clear the roadway. A few weeks prior, a school bus and another tractor trailer were involved in an accident in the westbound lane at the stoplight closer to Courtland proper because the bus was following too close when the truck slammed on its breaks. Thankfully, nobody was injured in either wreck.

According to a recent study conducted by the Virginia Department of Transportation, accidents are all too common along this particular stretch of Route 58. In fact, they occur between the aforementioned stoplights more than anywhere else in the county. With more than a quarter of the traffic passing through of the 18-wheel variety, it’s a surprise to hear that not one fatality was recorded in the past five years.

We understand that nobody likes to slow down, but the posted 55-mile per hour speed limit is simply too high. It takes an average-sized vehicle six seconds — or the length of a football field — to come to a complete stop at that speed. Some vehicles don’t even slow down when passing through the area because they know they won’t be ticketed for traveling nine miles over, so the only way to minimize the number of accidents is to lower the speed limit to 45 miles per hour and enforce it.

The board of supervisors recently requested VDOT assess the situation, but a change needs to happen sooner rather than later. If it doesn’t, this trend will only continue.