codyg1985’s Think Tank

Yes, it is a given that Winchester Road is one of the most dangerous in Madison County, Alabama. Many would like to see it widened from its current two and three lanes between Moores Mill Road and Buckhorn High School, but would it really help? Sure it may reduce the number of accidents on the stretch of road, for a while. In the long run, widening a road will only encourage more people to use it, which will lead to the same problem that caused the road to be widened in the first place.

I will agree that something needs to be done. Improvements to the road, including more guardrails and better striping and reflectors could be installed along Winchester. I will also agree that the traffic counts warrent its widening. However, widening the road will cause people to let their guard down, thinking the road is safer. When everyone lets their guard down, the road becomes just as dangerous as before. Maybe the road should be left alone, leaving drivers alert, or just letting them find an alternate route.