331 Accident Bad News

[ShallowsNole]

Yes, Mango please...

And, guys, don't blame 331. Remember that most folks who work in SoWal drive that road at least twice daily, and most are not inebriated. Virtually every major road down here has seen someone cross the center line or go off the shoulder and lose their life, and/or cause someone else to lose theirs. Even 30-A.

From what I understand, there was nothing the Rooks could have done - and they likely did not suffer. Sitting ducks in the only place they could be at that moment, but definitely the wrong time.

And since my husband and I are just a little older than they were and we have a 13-year-old, this incident has scared us into preparing the will and guardianship arrangements we've been putting off. You just never know and much of the time, there is nothing you can do.

 

[Cheering472]

This is so very sad. It's such a horrible loss for that poor family. I pray for them all.

 

[DBOldford]

What a tragic event this is. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and their friends. Also to you, Mango.

I agree with Smilin' Joe's comment that everyone should consider how easily this could have happened to them. We are quick to condemn the faceless person resonsible, yet would rush to their defense if it was someone we cared about. Or perhaps more appropriately stated, "rush to the defense counsel." Drinking and driving is still not taken seriously enough by society, nor is drinking to excess, in general. Drunk drivers are let off the hook daily by sharp lawyers. Parents dump their kids at our beaches with full knowledge that they will be drinking unsupervised and then driving the dangerous roads there. We assume that inappropriate drinking will occur and then express concern when the inevitable occurs.

We are not tee-totalers, mind you. But we never drink more than one alcoholic beverage and then get behind the wheel of a vehicle. You would not believe the grief we sometimes get about this from friends. And I have jumped up and down to distraction on this Board about the problem of sanctioned underage drinking at the beaches, only to be told:

"They're just having maybe a little too much fun."
"This is what everyone does down here and it's always been that way."
"That's just part of being on a rental program."
"I taught my kids how to drink safely and they know how to handle it."

And has anyone ever noticed that drive-through liquor store located on 331, near Freeport and just north of where this horrible accident occurred? We once called in a drunk driver who was weaving all over 331 and finally veered into the drive-in window for a fill-up. What kind of lunatic place of business is this?

If we really want to do something in the shadow of this tragedy, we should perhaps self-examine and also write some letters to our elected officials.

 

[Jennifer Steele]

Well said, as usual, Donna.

I live in DeFuniak Springs, and my husband and I drive almost every day to and from South Walton. There is rarely a day that I don't witness an irresponsible driver passing when it is not safe and a car is heading in the opposite direction. Sometimes this is at 7am when I assume people are not drunk.

Everyone who lives or visits here knows that highways 331 and 98 are extremely dangerous, and we all have to make an effort to slow down, drive safely and drive sober.

 

[JB]

The Florida Highway Dept. needs to take whatever steps necessary RIGHT NOW to make the 331 bridge safer. For starters, there should be a double yellow line from one end to the other and big signs that say NO PASSING ON BRIDGE. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen irresponsible drivers attempt to pass another car on that bridge when it is not safe to do so. It's an accident waiting to happen because, folks, THERE IS NO SHOULDER!

Also, if a center guardrail is not figured into the bridge expansion project, then they need to figure it in. This alone could save dozens of lives. In addition, they could put up big billboards on either end of the bridge showing a graphic photo of of one of the dozens of horrific accidents on the bridge, along with a warning to drive safely.

All is would take is a little extra money and a little thinking outside the box to make this bridge safer.

An honest question for the locals: Does anyone feel like the Mid-Bay bridge might be a little safer? If so, then I am taking that route for all my future trips.

This accident has absolutely put the fear of God in me re. that bridge.

 

[ShallowsNole]

Agreed about the guardrails, but I don't think the Mid-Bay is safer as a whole. The guardrails might have helped the accident several months back where the collision on the downhill side of the hump pushed the vehicle and the driver over onto the old bridge. I tend to disagree with the no passing, as often the bridge is the only place you can see far enough ahead to pass, but you are right - there is no room for error.

btw, Saturday night's accident occurred on the causeway.

 

[Smiling JOe]

Again, don't rush to the judging booth. Anyone could have easily meandered onto the edge of the road on that causeway and attempted to pull back onto the road with an overcorrection sending their vehicle directly into oncoming traffic. Accidents do not require a drunk driver. Their is plenty of shoulder along even the bridges. I have stopped on one of the bridges to change a tire for someone, and I had plenty of room to do so. One major problem with the causeway is the 4-5 inch jump from pavement to the ground below. It is not the case for the entire causeway, but for several places in it. A quick look at the keypad on your cellphone and you could be next.

JB, I don't think the mid-bay bridge is any safer. When the 4lane is built, it is most likely to be two bridges such as the Hathaway Bridge extending between PC and PCB, and yes, it will help people avoid accidents.

Right now, 331 is still not as bad Bloody 98 used to be when it was two lane.

All of this craziness and people were worried about sharks.

 

[JB]

I tend to disagree with the no passing, as often the bridge is the only place you can see far enough ahead to pass, but you are right - there is no room for error.

It would be inconvenient for folks like you and me, who would pass safely or not at all, but in the overall name of safety, I think this is something they need to do.

 

[Lois]

We had guests coming into one of our properties on Saturday from Missouri, they also got hit by another vehicle while driving through Alabama, three out of four in the vehicle had to be airlifted to a hospital. One was in serious condition and undergoing surgery when I last spoke to the family.

Be careful out there.

 

[JB]

Again, don't rush to the judging booth. Anyone could have easily meandered onto the edge of the road on that causeway and attempted to pull back onto the road with an overcorrection sending their vehicle directly into oncoming traffic.

But it wasn't just anyone. It was a stupid drunk Mexican. And now a whole family's world is destroyed. But yes, it could happen anytime, to anyone.

SJ, the impression I get from you is you have kind of an "oh well, it happens" attitude. Saturday's wreck was the second fatal accident on that bridge in the last six months or so. Something needs to be done to make it safer.

Surely you would agree that the state/county/whatever, needs to do something to make it more safe.