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3,700 crashes reported on I-77 from SC line to uptown over last 3 years

By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com
By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Drivers who use Interstate 77 told Channel 9 that driving on that highway is one of the most frustrating commutes in the Charlotte area.

New numbers showed it’s not only frustrating but dangerous.

"I think it's terrible. I really do. It almost reminds me of Atlanta traffic. Stop and go and stop go and stop and go,” driver Reggie Heath said.

Heath doesn’t drive I-77 very often and said he intentionally avoids it.

"A lot of people text, and they looking down on their dog gone phone, ain’t looking ahead,” he said.

Channel 9 dug through the numbers and found the stretch of I-77 between the South Carolina state line and uptown Charlotte had 3,700 crashes in the last three years.

In 2014, there were about 1,000 crashes. In 2015, there were almost 1,500, which is a 10 percent increase. In the first seven months of 2015, there has been 859, with eight of those fatal.

"People drive crazy. Everybody is trying to get to where they're going as quick as possible, and two, the roads are kind of a mess,” driver Grant Zahler said.

The data is broken down into the most treacherous times on the interstate.

"I think it is December, because more people is out there doing last minute shopping than anything," Heath said.

The worst days of the week are Wednesday and Thursday. The worst times are morning and afternoon rush hour, which is 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Troopers said tired or distracted drivers cause the most serious crashes.

The report only showed the crashes reported. North Carolina Department of Transportation officials said many crashes also go unreported.

Channel 9 reported in June the state has been working to hire more troopers to patrol the interstates.

Channel 9 asked NCDOT what specifically it plans to do about that stretch of I-77 but haven’t received a response.

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