Traffic accidents and low scores mar GA vs. UK game

Senior Day for the University of Georgia Bulldogs started out under a cloud, with a fatal accident on I85 N delaying many fans headed to the game. It was not a pleasant day to spend a Saturday afternoon, but the living were thankful to God to be able to enjoy some gridiron fun.

Traffic hazards were the consequences of navigating 91,000 people in and out of Athens, Ga., home of the Dawgs. "Two kids were killed, two were life flighted, and two more people were injured," said a representative of Curt's Detail Shop & Towing of Commerce, Ga., a service that cleared the wreckage.

"Fans from Clemson and Gwinnett were involved. They were on their way to the game and were driving too fast," the tow truck driver said. He seemed visibly moved and shocked at the untimely death of children.

Traffic was backed up for miles. It took over one hour to go five miles. Many fans arrived at the stadium halfway through the third quarter. They were greeted by bored fans leaving the stadium who said it was "a field goal sort of game."  The final score was GA 19, UK 10.

"Kentucky played a good game," said one Bulldog fan. "Kentucky kept the lid on and made it tough on us to win," said another.

On the way back to I85 just before the entrance ramp, motorists were delayed again by a traffic light which was changing from green to red every ten seconds and holding on red for 45 seconds. This created another horrific traffic jam. Proper synchronization of traffic lights and/or police managing the traffic would have made the journey to see the Dawgs more bearable. 

-- a UK Wildcat fan

©2011 Tomi Johnson. All rights reserved.