Deadly Crash Puts Spotlight On Dangers Of Rural Roads Like State Road 31
Corbin Sutter
Accident Lawyers
Premises Liability
Traffic Accidents
Intersections in rural areas of southwest Florida like the one at County Road 74 (Bermont Road) and State Road 31 in Charlotte County, often go under the radar when thinking of places a that really bad accidents occur. However rural roads in wide-open areas often give drivers a false sense that they are alone on the road, and dangerous speeds can be the result. This particular rural intersection has checks off many of the factors that add up to a dangerous crossing including having two high-speed roads meet after long empty stretches of road, contributing to the risk of serious accidents. Getting an understanding of kinds of dangers rural intersections pose and the factors that may have led to a recent tragic accident that killed a 59 year old-woman from Fort Myers could help improve driver safety and prevent future crashes for residents of Charlotte County.
Rural intersections like County Road 74 and State Road 31 are particularly dangerous due to several factors, including high traffic volume, speed limits, visibility issues, sleepy drivers, inattentive drivers, a lot of truck traffic, and road design. State Road 31 is a major thoroughfare that serves as a vital north-south route, carrying both local traffic and long-haul vehicles. The road’s importance to regional transport means it often experiences high traffic volumes, including large commercial trucks and trailers. The intersection's rural location contributes to higher speed limits, making it difficult for drivers to slow down or stop suddenly, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area or distracted.
Visibility challenges further exacerbate the risks at this intersection. Rural roads definately will not be well-light at night reducing visibility, and in some cases obstructions such as overgrown vegetation blocking the view, large animals, for partially flooded areas can all be a problem. The inadequate lighting can obscure the few traffic signals and signs that are present along rural roads, making it harder for drivers to drive through intersections safely, especially at night or in poor weather conditions. These problems are compounded when drivers attempt to beat red lights thinking no one else is on the road with them, leading to potentially deadly collisions.
Another issue at rural intersections where high-speed traffic can meet is often they lack dedicated turn lanes, which can cause unexpected traffic congestion and increase the likelihood of a rear-end collisions. Without proper turn lanes, vehicles slowing to make a turn can create unexpected stops in the flow of traffic, resulting in sudden braking and accidents. The combination of high speeds, limited visibility, and poor traffic flow design creates an environment where accidents are more likely to occur.
A recent tragic accident at County Road 74 and State Road 31, where a sport utility failed to stop and collided with a pickup truck, highlights the risks associated with rural intersections across southwest Florida.
Woman Killed In Fatal Collision at State Road 31 and County Road 74 Intersection in Charlotte County
Charlotte County – Florida Highway Patrol Reported that on Friday, August 2, 2024, a tragic auto accident occurred at the intersection of State Road 31 and County Road 74 in Charlotte County, Florida. The crash involved a sport utility vehicle and a pickup truck towing a trailer, resulting in the death of a 59 year-old-woman from Fort Myers and a 24 year-old-man suffering minor injuries.
The accident began as a sport utility vehicle driven by a 59-year-old woman from Fort Myers, Florida, was traveling west on County Road 74 (Bermont Road), approaching the intersection of State Road 31. At the same time a pickup truck towing a trailer driven by a 24-year-old man from Wadsworth City, Illinois, was heading north on State Road 31, nearing the same intersection.
According to the FHP report, the crash occurred when the sport utility failed to stop for a red traffic signal as a pickup truck entered the intersection. At approximately 4:40 PM, the front of the sport utility collided with the right side of the pickup truck. The impact forced the pickup truck off the road into a water-filled ditch, where it struck a concrete light pole.
The driver the sport utility, a 59-year-old woman, was fatally injured and pronounced deceased at the scene by first responders. Fortunately, the driver of the pickup truck suffered only minor injuries despite the serious collision and was taken to a local hospital for medical attention.
FHP has stated that the crash remains under investigation.
Drivers Stay Vigilant Even On Rural Roads
At All Injuries Law Firm, we have seen all to many serious or fatal crash that could have been avoided. Rural roads are deceptively dangerous especially for drivers more used to urban environments. We urge all drivers to stay alert and always follow traffic signals even if they are driving in a rural setting.