Crashes common on 3 Interstate 5 mountain passes

GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — It’s the time of year when crashes begin to pile up on a series of three mountain passes on Interstate 5 in southern Oregon.

The hilly, curving section of the freeway between Roseburg and Grants Pass includes Mount Sexton, Smith Hill and Stage Road passes.

In the past 16 years, Oregon Department of Transportation figures show the worst months for crashes on that stretch are October and November, when the first heavy rains fall.

The Daily Courier reports that Oregon State Police troopers typically hear drivers say they were staying under the speed limit.

But troopers say drivers have to slow down because traction on wet pavement is just not as good as dry pavement, especially on steep curves.

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Information from: Daily Courier, http://www.thedailycourier.com