Council hears updated traffic-safety concerns after fog crash on Highway 69; ODOT, rumble strips and flashing lights discussed

Pryor Creek police reported on a recent fog-related crash on Highway 69 in which a semi split and cargo spilled onto the roadway; no life-threatening injuries were reported but the incident renewed discussion about long-standing safety concerns on the corridor.

Police and public-safety staff said the crash occurred where traffic backs up at the Walmart area and is exacerbated by drivers failing to stop at signals and high speeds approaching the southbound section where the posted limit increases to 55 mph. The department described coordination with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), which inspected the site and discussed rumble strips and flashing lights to improve safety in fog-prone locations.

Staff said the city has conducted targeted enforcement efforts—placing officers in detective vehicles and using a speed trailer—to address red-light running and speeding. The police chief reported that during a recent enforcement period about one in three vehicles exceeded the posted limit near the rec center and advocated continued coordination with state agencies to explore infrastructure changes and enforcement strategies.

Council members said prior grant work included lighting improvements in earlier projects and that addressing the Highway 69 corridor will require combined solutions including enforcement, rumble strips, flashing lights, and potential speed-limit calibration that will need multi-agency cooperation and funding. The city will continue to press state and congressional offices to pursue safety upgrades along the corridor.