CULPEPER – Effective today motorists traveling on U.S. Route 211 from Sperryville up Thornton Gap to Skyline Drive will find the maximum speed reduced from 45 miles per hour to 35 mph. The new speed zone encompasses the 3 3/4-mile section of Route 211 from just west of Sperryville almost to the Skyline Drive, which runs along the ridge of Thornton Gap.  

Today’s action to reduce the speed limit is part of a comprehensive crash-reduction effort in response to concerns expressed by residents, local government and emergency services agencies. The stretch of Route 211 from Sperryville west to the Skyline Drive has been the site of numerous traffic crashes during the past few years. The speed-limit reduction was supported by a traffic study done by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Of particular concern are the statistics for crashes involving motorcycles: Since 2002 there have been 51 motorcycle crashes resulting in 46 injuries and the deaths of seven motorcycle riders on the section of Route 211 between Sperryville and the top of Thornton Gap. Excessive speed and loss of control on the sharp curves that make up the mountainous stretch of highway have been identified as contributing factors in many of those crashes.

For several years the Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office and the Virginia State Police have worked together to attempt to reduce crashes by conducting speed enforcement operations. VDOT has installed additional directional signs, pavement markings and rumble strips to warn of the mountain curves and cleared brush on the highway right of way to improve visibility. On weekends VDOT has placed portable message boards along the road west of Sperryville to reinforce the warning about safe speeds on the mountain. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and a coalition of motorcycle safety groups have also been involved in efforts to educate the public, and particularly motorcyclists, about the dangers of this section of Route 211.

Highway safety is everyone’s responsibility. Virginia’s highway safety partnership — the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and Virginia State Police — challenges you to help prevent highway fatalities. Buckle up. Avoid distractions. Share the road. Drive drug- and alcohol-free. Obey speed limits.  For more information on the Highway Safety Challenge and things you can do to avoid becoming Virginia’s next traffic fatality, visit www.safeVAhighways.org.