Facebook group demands 316 improvements

The online effort was started on May 26 by Jefferson Taffet of Athens.

In the group description, Taffet referenced the May 23 death of Rev. Larry Brian Townsend, 30, of Bogart.

“We hope and pray Rev. Larry Townsend is the last person to needlessly die before the necessary changes were made to GA 316,” Taffert wrote.

Townsend was killed when his 2000 Dodge Avenger was struck by an eastbound Volvo as he attempted to turn left onto Hwy. 316 from Hwy. 53. The driver of the Volvo, Shakena Daniel, 20, of Statham, suffered only minor injuries.

Just three days prior to Townsend death, a Barrow County Sheriff’s deputy was seriously injured while attempting to cross Hwy. 316 at Carl Bethlehem Road. The deputy’s patrol car was by a vehicle which ran a red light at the intersection. Witnesses estimated that the vehicle which struck the patrol car was traveling approximately70 m.p.h. The deputy is expected to make a full recovery.

Taffert believes Hwy. 316 should be a limited access highway.

“Too many people have died on GA 316 because it is not a safe road,” Taffert wrote.

Taffert is not alone in his beliefs. Several people have posted comments expressing their concerns over the safety of Hwy. 316.

“I drive 316 daily, normally several times a day,” one group member wrote. “MR. SONNY PERDUE listen up!! If it was your wife or child killed on this road the money would be found instantly to do whatever is needed!! END the Carnage now, RIGHT NOW!”

Another member of Taffert’s Facebook group said the revenue generated each day as a result of traffic on the highway should be motivation enough for the state to make the road safe.

“The amount of money the state makes every single day as a result of the people who travel on GA 316 should be enough to pay for all the expenses associated with turning GA 316 into a limited access highway,” he wrote.

Taffert’s page - Turn GA 316 into a limited access highway w/ no tolls! – can be found online at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Turn-GA-316-into-a-limited-access-highway-w-no-tolls/122869837744869?ref=ts