The site of a recent traffic fatality won’t be upgrading its traffic controls from a caution light to a stop light; at least not for a while. 

In the wake of an accident that claimed the life of a local woman earlier this month, the Alabama Department of Transportation says it will leave in place the blinking yellow caution light that hangs above the intersection of U.S. Highway 278 West and County Road 831. 

The intersection, which crests a small hill with limited sightlines in both directions, has been the scene of a number of accidents — some fatal — over the years. But ALDOT said in a press release that the numbers don’t justify halting the flow of traffic along the fast-moving highway.

“While crashes at this intersection are not as common as many believe them to be, we have seen an increase in the last two to three years,” the agency said. “There has been little change in traffic volume or other factors that might explain a rise in crashes. We’ll continue to monitor the intersection and investigate further, including obtaining the results of the law enforcement investigations into these most recent crashes.”

A three-vehicle accident at the intersection on July 10 resulted in the death of 85 year-old nearby resident Aura Dequasie. It’s the most recent traffic-related death at the Bethel intersection, which is regulated by posted stop signs for cross traffic along the county roads, and a flashing caution signal intended to slow — but not stop — traffic on Highway 278.

“In 2014, following a previous fatal crash (which occurred at a nearby business entrance, not the intersection), we conducted an analysis to determine whether the intersection met standards for installation of a traffic signal,” ALDOT noted, “but a signal was not warranted based on traffic volumes and crash history. A signal would still not be warranted today.”

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.