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New warning signs for Colbert County highway

By Josh Ault - Bio | Email

LITTLEVILLE, AL (WAFF) - Four people died in March in wrecks on Highway 43, just north of Littleville in Colbert County.  New warning signs have now been placed there to get drivers to slow down.

The part of Highway 43 that has problems is known for sharp curves, deep ditches, and water on the road.  It is also known for crushed cars and fatalities.

The Alabama Department of Transportation has taken one step in trying to prevent more accidents.  They have put electronic warning signs at the beginning and end of the problem area.  It tells drivers to slow down to 45 miles-per-hour when it is raining.

"(I) hope that people would read it and slow down when it's raining because the rain stands on the road really deep out here," said Susan Moss, who works at a gas station on Highway 43.

Some drivers are not following the new warnings.  When stormy weather hit over the weekend, Moss says many drivers did not slow down.

"There was maybe 10% of the people slowed down," said Moss. "The others were still going fast."

Some drivers say the signs are good, but they are not fixing the real problem.

"It's not the problems with the warning signs," said Keith White, a Tuscumbia resident, who travels the road frequently for work. "It's problems with the road."

White says there has been a problem with this stretch of road since he was a kid.

"I believe they need to put guardrail on top of that hill to Littleville," said White.

"I feel they should drop the speed limit back to 55," added Moss.

All these ideas are being considered.

"Please read the sign and slow down," said Moss, "Think of others and yourself."

Crews have been to the site to survey the highway.  There are plans to put in more guard rails, plus a median.  They also have two resurfacing projects already approved.

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