Elton asks for help with intersection
ELTON - Officials here are working with the state to see if there is anything that can be done to make a dangerous intersection safer for motorists in Elton.
The intersection of U.S. 190 and La. 26 has seen a number of deadly accidents over the last decade and residents say that number is increasing.
“There have been lots of people who have died there,” said Police Chief Bruce Lemelle. “However, the road is managed by the state and they say they haven’t had enough fatalities to warrant a traffic light.”
Currently, there is a sign that was installed by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) that alerts drivers to through traffic at the intersection. Council member Shirley Johnson suggested that the state could add a four-way stop with flashing lights around the signage to alert drivers to the intersection.
“If not maybe they could install a bigger sign that says through traffic does not stop,” she said.
Lemelle said drivers need to use caution at that intersection and remember to bring their vehicles to a complete stop at the stop sign, not just before the railroad tracks.
“Also when you are turning into Spot’s Corner, do not put your signal on until you cross La. 26,” he said. “Many crashes have been caused by this because they thought the driver was turning onto the highway instead of going straight across.”
According to a study by the National Highway Safety Commission, intersections controlled by traffic signals account for around half of the number of fatalities occurring each year in the U.S. at intersections controlled by stop signs.
Dist. 36 State Representative Mark Abraham, who was at the town’s council meeting campaigning for the Dist. 25 State Senate seat, said he would take the feedback about the dangerous intersection back to state officials to see if there is anything more than could be done to improve the safety of the intersection.
Lemelle said he agreed that a four-way stop would help to alleviate some of the problems at the intersection.