Stretching from Macon to Savannah is that interstate we all loathe. The only question in my mind when it comes to I-16 is: "Are we there yet?" Whether it is the constant construction, speed traps, or the mind numbing boringness of the highway, I dread the 116 mile journey from Macon to Statesboro. There is no doubt that this road is dangerous, but is it the reason we lost five of our fellow Georgia Southern Eagles just two months ago?
A combination of factors make I-16 the danger that it is. As we GSU students know, traffic can be brutal with lane closures everywhere due to the never-ending resurfacing, and Pooler, Ga., being the fastest growing economy in the state. This is only a small issue though; in fact, on days where there is not a mass exodus to Statesboro or Savannah, the traffic is minimal and, at night, non-existent. The danger also lies in the design of the concrete four-lane highway and especially the interchanges. Having been on the Clarence Thomas Interchange, I can say it is one of the most nerve-racking cloverleafs that I have driven. Trying to get onto I-95 North from I-16 East is like threading a needle because of merging traffic moving at a snail's pace. Another reason for worry is the tailgating and slow-moving left lane vehicles brought on by having only two lanes for each direction, therefore, there is really no comfortable cruising speed. I'm not saying I-16 is the worst road in America, but I have taken Route 80 all the way to Macon a couple of times to avoid it.
What if the road itself is not the only problem? We are living in an age of distracted driving. If it weren't for cell phones I would own a motorcycle right now. Also, the past two deadly accidents on I-16 were due to truck drivers that fell asleep behind the wheel. While the state has laws prohibiting texting while driving and limiting the number of hours a trucker can spend on the road these issues continue to be factors in automobile related deaths. The way people in the 21st century let a 4,000 pound or heavier vehicle go 70 miles per hour unattended is enough reason to stay home and watch Netflix instead of visiting mom.
There have been 19 deaths on I-16 for the first half of 2015. The recent tragedies on this highway can be blamed for a number of reasons, but nothing will be done if we don't rally together as young Americans and speak up. Whether we should lobby for highway expansion or more policing of dangerous driving, I do not know. All I know is every time I pass the eagles painted on the bridges in Metter I am relieved that the journey is almost over.
