Study Highlights Most Dangerous U.S. 95 Stretches Worst Spot On Cda Reservation, According To Survey Of N. Idaho
University of Idaho researchers have identified the most dangerous spots on U.S. Highway 95 in North Idaho.
Researchers with the university’s geography department analyzed 10 years of state accident data from 1987 to 1996.
They found 10 dangerous sections of Highway 95. The worst spot, on the southern boundary of the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation, has a startling two accidents for every 1,000 cars that pass it.
“That’s where you stop and say a prayer,” said tribal press secretary Bob Bostwick. “There are a hundred spots on 95 that are like that.”
The second most dangerous spot, according to the UI research, is just north of Worley and had 1.9 accidents for every 1,000 cars.
A spot north of Bonners Ferry ranked next.
Almost all of the accident-prone sections in the 211-mile stretch have little or no shoulders, researcher Tamitha Hammond said.
“It’s all narrow and pretty winding,” she said.
Idaho transportation officials have approved $120 million for 25 highway projects in the Panhandle over the next five years.
That includes realigning and rebuilding a 21-mile stretch from Mica to Worley and rebuilding 16 miles from Highway 1 to Eastport, where many of the most dangerous spots are located.
However, the most dangerous spot, at the southern end of the Coeur d’Alene Reservation, is not in the department’s current five-year plan, according to department records.
“All the roads here on the reservation need to be looked at closely,” said Francis SiJohn, tribal council member and transportation planning director.
SiJohn said the tribe is working closely with state engineers to help plan for highway projects in the area.
The most dangerous Panhandle spot identified by UI researchers is notorious for its narrow, hilly stretch with no shoulders. It continuously stays icy in the winter, SiJohn said.
“It’s just bad ingredients for a bad site,” he said.
Post Falls resident Frank Vernon commutes weekly to graduate school classes at the UI’s Moscow campus.
His only route is Highway 95.
His brother was hurt in a rollover accident on the road 20 years ago and he lost a friend to a drunken driving accident a few years ago.
“I’m pretty familiar with people getting hurt on it,” he said. “In one semester I’ve seen six to 10 vehicles in the ditch or in accidents.”
Four times this year he’s been greeted with a car crossing the center line or coming upon an accident after a blind curve.
While Vernon doesn’t think the road should be widened to freeway standards, he does think it needs improvements.
“There’s no reason not to have shoulders,” he said. “It’s a beautiful drive. It’s just dangerous.”