Letter to the editor: Concerned about traffic in Eltham after accident

I am writing to hopefully bring attention to a recent bus accident that occurred on Dec. 11 at approximately 3:20 in the afternoon. A dump truck driver fell asleep at the wheel and the truck ran into the back of bus number 40, resulting in extensive damage.

As a resident of this high traffic area, I contacted the county four years ago after a logging truck failed to see me turning left onto Farmers Drive from Route 33. I met with VDOT, the sheriff, county administrator, and a couple of deputies concerned about the lack of safety in this area at that time. They ordered a VDOT study of the area due to my prompting. It came back that the area was safe and needed no further consideration.

Soon after my incident, we had several other situations involving traffic not stopping for school buses. In response, New Kent placed a school bus on the side of the road with “Stop for the School Bus, It’s the Law” sign on it.

These are only a few incidents but we have had deaths resulting from accidents in the area. Remember the young high school student who died from a tractor trailer not stopping for the stop light at the intersection of Route 249 and Route 33? He was killed instantly on his way home from school.

When is enough, enough? What will it take to make someone do something?

I am begging for answers from our officials. This is a deadly stretch of road. Already, my elementary and high school children ride buses that continue over the West Point Bridge to turn around because they cannot make it out in traffic to turn left to return to the school.

I think if research on traffic incidents in this area was done properly, I think it will speak for itself.

Kelly Johnson
Eltham