SPENCER — A large wreck occurred in the southbound lanes of Interstate 85 near the Davidson County line on Monday around 3:30 p.m.
As a result of the crash, traffic was rerouted through Spencer.
On Tuesday, Spencer Police Chief Michael File addressed what happens when a wreck happens between exit 81 (Long Ferry Road) and exit 84 (NC-150), prompting motorists to seek alternative routes that lead them through the town.
“(Traffic) was backed up from Jefferson Street all the way to Davidson County and even back to Bill’s Truck Stop,” File said. “We were congested from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. with really heavy backups.”
The stretch of Interstate 85 that runs from Charlotte to the Triad region is one of the busiest sections of highway in the state, seeing thousands of vehicles commute the thoroughfare daily. When a crash occurs on the interstate, reducing traffic to single or double lanes, it can cause significant congestion. During incidents like Monday, when the entire highway was shut down, those motorists naturally look to alternative routes using GPS to navigate unfamiliar roads.
“Everyone follows GPS,” File said.
For all the good that GPS can serve, File pointed out that it does not always point you back to the most efficient route during a detour. For example, Monday’s crash impacted traffic between exit 84 and 81. Traffic south of exit 81 was not obstructed, so if motorists had taken Long Ferry Road back to the interstate or even Jefferson Street (exit 79), the congestion would likely not have been as severe in town.
However, with motorists’ GPS systems rerouting them along Hwy. 29 through Spencer and into Salisbury, it only worsened the congestion. During the period of heightened congestion, File said that they responded to a collision on Hwy. 29.
“We had one up around Sowers Ferry Road,” File said. “That was due to the congestion.”
Thankfully, that collision was not severe.
“It was not a bad wreck,” File said. “I always call it inattention due to the heavy traffic.”
Regrettably, File indicated that there is not much his department can do as it relates to traffic control measures following a wreck and subsequent detours along Hwy. 29.
“It is such a long stretch there is really not a good way to put anyone out there redirecting traffic,” he said. “We had cars in the area keeping blue lights on to make sure that people slow down, but getting out there to direct, there is not a good place.”
The police chief added that the best prevention is attentive driving and returning to the interstate as quickly as possible.
