Road divots avert wrecks, draw notice

The beautiful scenery along Arkansas 7 wending north of Russellville and into the Ozark National Forest can exact a deadly price.

From 2001 to 2004, 11 fatal crashes occurred on the narrow, twisting 74 miles between Dover and Harrison, a route that soars in popularity when the often-brilliant fall foliage peaks.

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, taking note of the toll, tested a trick from its $1 billion interstate-repair program and had a series of divots dug out along the centerline of the 20-foot-wide highway.

In the three years after the “rumble strip,” as the divots are collectively known, was installed in 2004, only four fatalities occurred, a decline of 64 percent, according to agency data. What’s more ...