Big Moody Curve traffic stall following accident

A notorious curve on Highway 17 is getting called out on social media with lots of people wondering what is going on.

It is known as the Big Moody Curve. On Thursday, a crash there slowed southbound traffic for a period of time.

For people who often take Highway 17, Big Moody Curve has become a sort of mythic symbol for how dangerous the road can be.

One man who drives the highway everyday while on the job knows how bad it can be.

“These guys they ask me, ‘You drive everyday Highway 17?’ I say, ‘Yeah.’ ‘Oh it’s pretty dangerous, man.’ I said, ‘Yeah!’ ‘You scared?’ I say, ‘Well, I’m not scared because I drive for almost five years, you know,'” said L. Ortiz.

People on social media post their concerns about Big Moody Curve. They constantly point to it as the place where accidents are just waiting to happen.

There is a certain section of the curve known as the “Wet Spot.” It is where ground water seeps up onto the road. That spot seems to be getting much of the blame for accidents by people online.

While the curve has earned a bad rap on the Internet, the California Highway Patrol says they do not see it the same way.

“No inordinate number accidents, no elevated number of accidents happen on 17 at Big Moody Curve as opposed to any other portion of 17 or the other roadways in our area,” said Ross Lee, a CHP spokesperson.

Even so, Caltrans says they have short term and long term plans to alleviate some of the dangers of the curve. One driver tells KION she hopes something can be done for Highway 17.

“Well, I got to leave home early every day because I never know if there’s going to be an accident and usually there is,” said Sepi Saadat. “And when it’s been raining lately, it’s really hard to see because it’s foggy and the rain is coming directly at you and it’s so dark that you have to drive really slow, you can’t see anything.”

CHP says following basic driving safety rules and slowing down is the best way to stay safe. The speed limit going through the Big Moody Curve is 50 miles per hour.