New signs planned on steep Ozarks road after crashes

3772231


     (AP) – Residents say they’re seeing more crashes involving big

trucks on the steep, hilly roads of the Arkansas Ozarks.

     In the past 21/2 years, seven trucks have wrecked on a 2-mile stretch of

Arkansas 43 near Ponca in the Buffalo National River area. Authorities and local

residents say that a vehicle’s GPS system doesn’t indicate just how steep the

road is or how sharp the hairpin curves can be.

     The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports one of the recent wrecks involved a

truck driver from Iowa, who crashed on a curve at Ponca while hauling 40,000

pounds of cargo. The driver wasn’t hurt, but the truck and trailer were deemed a

total loss.

     State highway officials say the department plans to place new signs in the

area warning of the steep hills.




   

WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI