To the editor:
After the tragic Jan. 11 fatality, I hope that more can be done to protect the safety of those traveling on U.S. Highway 101 near the Yachats Fire District station.
Would a roadside memorial to the victims near the crash site be feasible, one that includes features that, while legal, would remind drivers to be extra cautious when approaching the fire station driveway?
More specifically, is there a way that concerned residents could operate within the Oregon Department of Transportation’s rigid strictures while installing a roadside memorial that would share an important message for drivers approaching the fire station driveway?
In addition to reminding locals about being extra careful while approaching the driveway in the 55 mph zone, this terrible crash may serve to reinforce the value of wearing seatbelts and having working airbags.
One also hopes that a full report as to the circumstances of this tragedy will be forthcoming and that important questions will be answered, such as: Did the ambulance driver do everything required before pulling out onto the highway? Did the car have lights on prior to, and at the time of the collision? Did weather impact visibility? Did alcohol or drugs contribute to the outcome?
What other factors, if any, were at play?
- Dan Sterling/Yachats
Yachats fire department, Yachats and ODOT need to get together and come up with a plan to reduce the speed to 40 mph north of Star Creek Road and Highway 101 and put up or build emergency street light signals at the entrance of Yachats fire district department. It is really hard to even see the entrance of the fire department, plus this would slow down and break up the flow of traffic going through the town of Yachats. This would make it easier to other vehicles trying to turn off or onto Highway 101. I think this would solve a lot of issues and save a lot of lives. And a memorial site would be a good idea for the ones that we have lost in this section of the highway in this area of Yachats.
I live on Ocean Wayside Lane and because of the 55 mph zone at the bottom of our driveway, pulling out of our driveway and turning into it is a hazard. Even with turn signals and sometimes flashing hazard lights I’ve nearly been rear ended by oblivious lead foot drivers on Highway 101.