SOPHIA, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – The Sophia Police Department is asking drivers to slow down, stop at stop signs and look both ways while at the Slab Fork intersection. The intersection meets Coalfields Expressway, a four-lane highway stretching approximately 108 miles from Beckley, West Virginia, to Pound, Virginia.
Sergeant Shane Meadows with the Sophia Police Department says officers have seen several bad accidents at the intersection since July. In addition to one fatality, at least three people have been airlifted due to injuries.
In addition to an increase in accidents, Meadows says the department has issued its fair share of tickets at the intersection, especially since construction began on the road, lowering the speed limit from 65 to 55.
“They are doing construction out there and repairing the road. It’s a construction zone, so it’s 55 miles per hour, but everybody still wants to do 70,” Meadows explained. “Every day, one of us is out there working and running radar. We have written a bunch of tickets for speeding in construction zones, and the fine for that is doubled.”
Meadows says avoiding a ticket is simple.
“If you’re coming out of Slab Fork, make sure to stop at the stop sign and definitely look both ways before entering the highway. Slow down to 55, and everything will be fine.”
Once the roadwork is complete, the speed limit will return to 65.
