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Look out for the Dead Man's curves in your neck of the woods

Treacherous winding roads have claimed many lives. Please be careful so you are not added to the list.

By Cheryl E PrestonPublished 10 months ago 3 min read
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Infamous Dead Man's Curve in New Mexico

Is there a Dead Man's Curve near you?

Dead Man's Curve is an American term for dangerous highways and backroads that have sharp turns. Two miles from where I grew up in Blue Ridge Virginia there is a small area called Webster and Webster Road is indeed a narrow 2 lane winding road. I was told one spot on the road was called Dead Man's Curve because there had been a number of wrecks in the location and people had lost their lives. Perhaps it's challenging for some drivers to speed around narrow curves but you never know what is coming the other way or when you might lose control of your vehicle.

One of my cousins was speeding as she rounded the curve in Webster in 1976 just before we graduated high school. She said she was enjoying music when her vehicle went off the road at the curve and into a cornfield but thankfully she was not hurt. I have driven on this road and in the dangerous area as you round the curve you are unable to see what is coming in the other direction. I always obeyed the speed limit but drivers behind me and those heading towards me from the opposite direction were usually speeding. It really made me nervous.

In Marquette Township in Marquette County, Michigan, Dead Man's Curve was given to an area on County Road 492 where the first state highway center line in the United States was painted. There are probably many of these winding roads in the nation that have unofficially been given this name. Perhaps there is even one or two near you.

Mel Blanc survived a Dead Man's Curve

A curve on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles memorialized in the hit song "Dead Man's Curve" by Jan and Dean. The song's lyrics place the location of the "Dead Man's Curve" accident at the curve on westbound Sunset Boulevard just west of Doheny Drive in West Hollywood. Voice actor Mel Blanc was severely injured while driving here in 1961 (Wikipedia).

Blanc almost died and the accident left him hospitalized for months and unable to lend his 1000-character voice to the world of animation. Eventually, he recovered. It's not clear why people want to speed on narrow roads going around a bend or why after so many tragedies and speed limit signs posted drivers don't just slow down.

The most famous Dead Man's Curve in the US

The most famous Dead Man's Curve in America is located between Albuquerque and Tijeras, State Road 333 (previously known as the infamous U.S. Route 66) makes a sudden curve near the I-40 overpass. This stretch of highway has earned its name because of the rocky cliffs on the south side of the highway, and frequent deer traffic contributes to its hazardousness.

Other US roads that are problems

A dangerous curve on South Carolina Highway 9 about 10 miles west of Chester, South Carolina, has been the site of several fatal crashes.

A curve on Schuylkill Expressway, a section of Interstate 76, near Conshohocken known as the Conshohocken Curve by many people, has been the site of several fatal and nonfatal crashes..

A few days ago there was a story in the news about a truck driver in Luray, Virginia who was speeding on Skyline Drive and his vehicle went over an embankment. He was lucky because both he and his truck were rescued. Authorities in the area emphasized obeying speed limits but crashes continue to happen. Eventually, this location which has surrounding winding areas may also be referred to as a Dead Man's Curve.

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About the Creator

Cheryl E Preston

Cheryl is a widow who enjoys writing about current events, soap spoilers and baby boomer nostalgia. Tips are greatly appreciated.

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