Three accidents in less than a week at Walmart intersection in Roanoke
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There were no reported injuries at this accident Wednesday at the entrance to Walmart, but a total of five people were transported from the scenes by ambulance after two Friday accidents.
A rash of accidents at the intersection of Highway 431 and Davco Drive, better known as the entrance to Walmart, had Roanoke Police officers emphasizing the need for drivers to enter the intersection cautiously and with awareness.
Two accidents took place within four hours of each other last Friday, and a third happened Wednesday afternoon just after the noon hour. All three involved vehicles attempting to turn left into Walmart from 431, and two took place because the left-hand turning vehicle failed to yield to cars driving through the intersection from the other direction.
There were serious repercussions to these accidents as a total of five people were transported from Friday’s collisions to local hospitals for medical treatment, and one of the accidents also involved a pregnant woman.
According to Roanoke Police officer Chris Parmer, who was on the scene for all three accidents, there tends to be confusion for drivers in regards to the flashing yellow turn signal when the light for 431 traffic is green.
That flashing signal means left-turning vehicles must wait for a clear opening in the traffic coming from the other direction before attempting to turn. The flashing yellow is specifically for the turn lane, while the circular solid green lights are for traffic proceeding through the intersection towards Roanoke.
Another issue that contributes to the confusion for drivers attempting to turn left into Walmart is other drivers who are attempting the right turn into Walmart from the other direction. The yield sign for that turn lane means that those drivers must wait for left-hand turning vehicles to pass through before they can go. But often drivers in the right-hand turn lane will wave the left-hand turning vehicle through, unaware that traffic is flowing through the intersection in the next lane.
Here are some simple tips to follow to help keep yourself and others safe in that intersection:
- Don’t ever wave someone through the intersection. Follow the traffic signs and signals that apply to you, and allow other drivers to do the same. When in doubt, don’t wave. Wait.
- Don’t ever go just because someone is waving you through. Make sure you check fully for oncoming traffic in both lanes before proceeding. When in doubt, wait.
- A green arrow means you have the right of way to turn without stopping.
- A flashing yellow arrow (even if the other lights are green) means the light is green for oncoming traffic, and they are coming through. Wait until there is an opening before you make the left-hand turn.
- In general, be fully aware of your surroundings and the traffic situation as you approach the intersection. Don’t focus on just one car or one lane. Understand what your signal is, and act accordingly.
