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6 car pile-up on I-70 exit. Is it the I-70’s fault?

We all agree that most accidents in Colorado are caused by drivers who are negligent, distracted or reckless. And rightfully, a lot of education, campaigning, prevention and dissuasion are being done to keep their numbers under control.

Having said this, quite a few crashes are caused or aggravated by poor road design. A truck flipping over in the sharp curve of a highway exit, a car pile-up at a closed railway crossing hidden just behind the top of a hill, a motorcycle hitting the concrete guard of a narrow bridge in the dark-these examples show that even if Colorado's road infrastructure is among the best, there are dangerous spots where there is little unsuspecting drivers can do to avoid the risk.

What does poor road design mean? When one or more of the following aspects of road design are sub-standard or lacking, the safety of road users can be greatly endangered:

Road markings: Painted and reflective lines and markings are very important to steer drivers in the dark or in bad weather conditions, or to indicate when passing is safe. Rumble strips and grooves are excellent warnings when a vehicle is drifting out of its lane, or when there is an upcoming intersection.

Road surface: Most road surfaces are adapted to the local climate conditions, but some may be very slippery when wet, or damaged in freezing temperatures. If water is not properly drained under heavy rainfall or if the surface is littered with potholes, the risk of traffic accidents is greatly increased.

Entry and exit ramps: Because vehicles drive at a much lower speed on entry and exit ramps than on the freeway, they are the place where most accidents occur. If the exit isn't backed up by a long lane to allow exiting vehicles to separate from the traffic flow, or if there isn't a long merge lane for cars entering the freeway, or if the ramp is curved in such a way that drivers are caught by surprise, accidents will happen more frequently.

Shoulders: In the event of a mechanical failure, an obstacle or any other emergency, vehicles must be able to pull off the road without falling into a ditch. The occasional absence of shoulders must be clearly marked.

Traffic lights and signs: These are so important that they must not only be present, but also repeated. Whether indicating speed limits, crossings, or intersections, traffic signals are vital and their absence or lack of visibility can be a direct cause of accidents.

Infrastructure: Many other elements can influence the flow and safety of traffic, from guard rails to road bumps to intersection visibility to curves and slopes.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident that was caused or seriously aggravated by poor road design, contact vehicle accident attorney Robert J. Anderson immediately to evaluate whether and how action can be taken against public authorities.