Another look at 195

Two deaths occurred on area roads recently. Both of the deceased were Washington State University students. One died on Highway 26 outside of Dusty, the other on Highway 195 north of Rosalia.

Both accidents involved a vehicle crossing the center line.

As a result of these tragedies, an effort has started to demand that the two-lane highways be made safer.

Unlike the calls by this newspaper in the past, these are being originated from out of the area. WSU parents are involved. They are using all avenues, especially social media, to make sure their children and others can safely travel the highways to and from school.

In 2006, nine fatalities occurred on 195. That is when this paper called the road the “Black Ribbon of Death..”

Then, in 2011, the Department of Transportation conducted a series of meetings with county residents to get their comments. The prevailing thought was that additional passing lanes would make the highways safer. The roads hold many blind curves, and oncoming vehicles are often obscured behind hills. Passing lanes would reduce the need for passing into oncoming traffic.

Currently, the state plans to add five passing lanes on 195 between Spangle and Colfax in 2017. Two passing lanes are scheduled for 26 in 2025.

These long-coming projects are something, but they are not enough.

Now, the interest in improving both 26 and 195 is more than just local. The calls for improving the safety on these roads are now statewide.

They might help pressure the legislature into doing more. So might some concerted effort from WSU itself. Whitman County residents have already spoken in that 2011 survey, but they need to speak to their legislators and other officials about the need to improve the roads. After all, locals are the ones who use the roads the most.

We all know that the design of roads is only one part of being safe on highways. Bad driving habits, inattentive driving and impaired driving can make any road unsafe. No highway design can make up for irresponsible driving.

Still, the safer the road, the safer responsible drivers will be, and each of these roads could be much safer.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher