Residents of Chesterfield have reported that they are compelled to seek out other routes in order to avoid possible risk after two crashes on Route 9, one of which was tragic, occurred in the previous two weeks.
“It’s becoming increasingly frightening to drive on Route 9. Vehicle speeds are much too high. Just now, there was a rather serious accident. People continue to drive really carelessly. Driving gives me anxiety, especially when my kids are in the car,” Jen Oliver remarked.
Chesterfield is directly on Route 9, which some locals claim is occasionally unavoidable.
Police said they were called to a collision on Route 9 on Friday, when one vehicle had over the double yellow line and collided head-on with another vehicle. Authorities said that both drivers were admitted to the hospital.
“These occurrences occur in waves. It’s not normal, in my opinion. We see a significant increase in traffic over the summer, according to Chesterfield police Lieutenant Lance Rouse.
Over 12,000 cars pass through Chesterfield on a typical day, most of them on Route 9, according to Rouse.
“The road moves quickly. In twenty years, not much has changed on the road. Driver conduct has, according to Rouse. “A lot of speeding, passing too closely, breaking the law, and other actions. Thus, in order to prevent these head-on accidents, these major crashes, and to maintain our presence on Route 9, we are collaborating with state police to be out there.”
Rouse said there have been more than 30 accidents since the start of 2024.
Anyone with information on the recent Route 9 crashes is asked to contact Chesterfield police at 603-363-4233.
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