Exercise caution at Circle Mountain and New River Roads

One morning last week was the second time in two weeks I have been driving home up Circle Mountain Road and seen yet another avoidable accident. I know they are avoidable because it almost happened to me once.

If you are driving down Circle Mountain Road to turn left on New River Road, it is not safe to make your left turn because there is a vehicle in the right‑hand turn lane headed up Circle Mountain. What you aren’t aware of is the fact your vision is blocked and you cannot, I repeat, cannot see what is coming up the road because of the vehicle in the right‑hand turn lane. You think you can safely pull out and make your turn, but you are wrong.

Both accidents I saw were the exact same scenario, and the first one was with a truck of a local rock moving company. Very nice local people own the company, and it was clearly not their fault. It is not a fun game when commercial vehicles get in accidents as they are very strictly regulated by the Department of Public Safety.

This morning, same thing. A driver pulled out onto New River Road to go left and caused a three car collision. Luckily, it wasn’t serious, but at least three people had their vehicles damaged and their morning ruined. So please, please wait until there are no cars anywhere near you before you make that left‑hand turn. The next time someone might not be so lucky.

Nancy Lewis

New River