Every year, thousands of people get into wrecks merging onto Highways. According to the Department of Transportation, nearly 300,000 merging accidents occur yearly. These numbers are high, and something needs to be done to decrease them. The question is, are Diverging Diamonds the answer?

What is a Diverging Diamond?

A Diverging Diamond, also known as a Double Crossover Diamond, is a system that allegedly improves safety and mobility. It is also considered cost-efficient, costing much less than alternative options. However, a downside to this new system is that many people aren’t aware of how it works. This could lead to confusion and, ultimately, more accidents. This new interchange has been constructed at Exit 97 on I-26 at the Peak exit.

How do people feel about implementing this new system? 

There are many mixed opinions and feelings toward adding a Diverging Diamond.  Katherine Geguzys, 11th grade said,  ¨I think highways are hard enough to navigate, I really don’t think adding more to them is the best idea.”

“Traffic is worse than it has ever been,” said Ethan Hollis, senior.

 Diane Starnes, an English teacher at Chapin High School, said “I think that people aren’t familiar with it, and it’s a new pattern that people might get confused with, I’m worried there might be wrecks.“

“I almost got into a car accident multiple times,” said Dylan Kingsly, a senior as he has been navigating the new interchange.

What can be done to prevent accidents? 

Drivers should research Diverging Diamonds before driving on them to prepare themselves. Drivers should also be extra aware while driving through areas of construction and over the Diverging Diamond in order to prevent accidents from occurring. 

Contributing to this report: Grace Linder, Zoe Linder, William Robinson