I'm getting so sick of hearing about the "Dangerous Dragon" and the opinions given on the news.

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story.aspx?...2RKi2T0GagzE%3D

"It's probably the most dangerous, in America definitely, and maybe in the world," said Eric Overton, shift commander for the Blount County Rescue Squad.

Most dangerous in America...? - with only 3 fatalities this year...?

All this attention is going to ruin this road.

I would love to find accident stats on this road, vs other Knoxville / Tennessee / American roads for comparison.

Is the Dragon really that bad in comparison to other roads accidents vs traffic counts? I believe several people have died on roads in the National Park this year, but I don't see it being quoted as the most dangerous in the country.



Okay - done venting - had to get that out of my system.

 

Highway 138 in California - 39 deaths in 5 years
I-15 in Nevada - 173 deaths in 5 years
I-95 in Florida - 48 deaths in 1 year
Sehara Ave Nevada (City Street) - 14 deaths in 1 year
Phoenix AZ (City Streets) - 190 deaths in 5 years

US-129 in Tennessee - 9 deaths in 5 years.

 

completely agree. where did you pull these stats from? id almost have the right mind to call the TV station about it......much less the police department.

id be interested to see how "dangerous" it is in comparison with even other Tennessee roads.

 

I found random stats from CNN & MSNBC - and TailoftheDragon.com.

The stats do not follow the same date ranges, so probably shouldn't be used in an argument, but still sums up the overall point from a quick search.

I appreciate what they do, and its great they have a post near the dragon for quick response, but The Blount Rescue Squad people I have met are such sensationalists.

 

and to be honest im more worried about someone driving on their cell phone on I-40 at 5.15 in the afternoon then I am anytime at the Dragon.

 

Just a thought -

It may be that when one does make a big mistake on US-129 it does make for sensational news.

 

Wow, read the comments on that article. Disturbing.

 

Uhhgg.. after reading that I get so upset I can't think clearly enough to post a comment...

 

 

i posted this :



Sad to see that shift commander for the Blount County Rescue Squad is down on such a great area. Yes, there are accident on the Dragon but there are speed related accidents on every major highway. Personally, I feel safer on the Dragon then I do merging onto Alcoa highway.

WBIR take a drive up 129. I promise you wont see anyone driving and talking on a cell phone or putting on make-up let alone drunk driving.

Before Mr. Overton voices his opinion on something id highly recommend he come down from his perch in Punkin and take a look around.There are much more dangerous roads just in Knox County let alone the world.