Route 10 out of Lafayette is a long downhill dogleg to the right, cruelly tapered, winding and often with blind curves and dips. There's a beer joint at the bottom of the hill just at the elbow. To drop the golf imagery, the road now becomes basically a hogback road along what amounts to a flood control dike.
The entire section of road for many miles south of what is called “The Lafayette Hill” is also narrow, curvy with many dips and again blind areas. The shoulders are non-existent and sharp, with deep falls off into the flood plain. It is posted at 55 mph with a few particularly dangerous places marked down to 45 mph. There are very few spots where a Highway Patrol or Sheriff's car can pull off and monitor the traffic. There are a few places where one is allowed to legally pass, and many more where manic drivers pass even on the double yellow line.
The danger of this section of road is well known to most of us. Some families wisely don't let their children drive on it, awaiting their maturity as drivers. Every year many accidents occur on this road, usually with the observation that the driver lost control of the vehicle. We lament and speak impotently of getting the state to build us a new road. This is a wonderful idea. Because of the expense, it may be a long time in coming.
There is a clear alternative and certainly an interim solution. When I have driven Route 10-south, it has always impressed me how aggressively and fast people drive on it. If you enjoy being tailgated, it is truly a great section of road!
Frequent accidents are hardly surprising. A reasonable suggestion seems to me to be (1) a 45 mph speed limit for most of the dozen or so miles from Lafayette to Route 25-enforced!
(2) If you are a driver who feels he has to speed, go to Gallatin or Lebanon via Hwy. 52-west. At least the highway is better and safer.
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