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DC: Minor Accident Slows Rush Hour
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by fwinstead | March 25, 2009 at 08:31 pm
192 views | 13 Recommendations | 3 comments
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Washington, DC – A minor fender-bender bottle-necked some rush hour traffic on Connecticut Avenue at Appleton Street Wednesday afternoon. One vehicle was stalled facing north in one of only two southbound lanes. The other 4 lanes were reserved for northbound traffic.
During non-rush hour periods, 3 lanes are southbound with one of these lanes for parking. Northbound traffic has 3 lanes with one of these lanes for parking.
During rush hours, no parking is allowed and 4 lanes are dedicated for the majority of traffic and 2 lanes remain for those going against the current.
Usually, reversible lanes a.k.a. “suicide lanes” are a cost effective solution for moving traffic. But, as seen on Wednesday, even a minor accident can constrict traffic flow, particularly in the “unpopular” direction.
Why the 16+ minute delay between accident and response?
Did the 911 caller promptly and explicitly state the public safety situation on Connecticut Avenue caused by the immovable vehicle? Did the 911 call taker/dispatcher at the DC Office of Unified Communications (OUC) understand the public safety ramifications of this minor accident on a busy major street? Do OUC protocols even address this major minor situation? To be determined.
Two other recent accidents a block south:
Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 10:17 on March 26th, 2009
Thanks for this and for the pictures!
at 13:04 on March 26th, 2009
Due to my improved photography techniques the photos were not very good. I have learned how to take pictures across 6 lanes of traffic by the rhythm of the traffic. Rush hour actually produces better gaps than regular hours. What initially caught my eye but what I did not capture well was the accident's effect on the 2-way traffic. Out of habit I took pictures of the vehicles involved without the “public safety clutter”. Doh!
at 14:54 on April 1st, 2009
Another Fender Bender at same location, today, April 1, 2009. Both cars were able to drive off rainy rush-hour clogged Connecticut Avenue. MPD is on the scene.