Breaking News for Culpeper and Warrenton Accident Victims

Accidents on Va. 151

Posted on Oct 21, 2008

Last year was the worst year in a decade, when it comes to fatalities, for motorists traveling the 18-mile stretch of Va. 151 in Nelson County from Route 833 near Brent’s Gap to Route 250 near Avon. As the number of vehicles increases on this section of Va. 151, so do the number of accidents. It is estimated that in one section of the highway, a crash occurs on average every 318 feet.

Many Nelson County residents and businesses are located in this area, which use this stretch of highway. Almost 60 motor vehicle accidents occur each year along this road causing 30 injuries and at least one fatality. It wasn’t until the four deaths that occurred on Va. 151 last year that safety advocates started to pursue safety measures for the highway, including lower speed limits and increased traffic enforcement. As a result, only 13 accidents have occurred on Va. 151 this year, as of July 30.

Before last year, the six-mile stretch between the intersection of Va. 151 and Route 6 West and the intersection of Va. 151 and Route 6 East was considered the most dangerous part of the highway.

Even though these recent changes have decreased the number of accidents, the volume of vehicles on the road didn’t happen overnight.

Tommy Harvey, a local resident and business owner, said that in the past 20 years, he could only remember 10 or fewer new entrances being built on Va. 151 from the intersection of Route 6 to Virginia 250. His business has been located on the corner of Va. 151 and Virginia 840 since 1974. Harvey said that his business has increased drastically over the years.

Harvey stated that most of the accidents on Va. 151 happen when a motorist stops to make a turn. He has witnessed people turning right in front of someone into his station.

Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks said that the highway is a busy route with the majority of traffic coming to and from Wintergreen. He said there has been a major difference between this year and last when it comes to accidents.