After two young lives were lost within the same mile-longstretch of Highway 583 this month, Mississippi Highway Patrolstatistics are showing that highway to be the most fatal in thecounty this year.

Four of Lincoln County’s five fatal accidents since January haveoccurred on the highway, and already, there have been more trafficdeaths on that road than on Lincoln County’s stretch of Interstate55 in the entire year of 2006.

“You can wreck anywhere,” said MHP Staff Sgt. Josh Leggett.”Most of our accidents happen on I-55 because there’s so muchtraffic. But I’d say the ones on 583 happen because it winds andcurves so much.”

In the last week, both 24-year-old Ed King and 23-year-oldShannon Lawrence died in one-car accidents on the stretch ofhighway just before Enterprise School. King’s accident occurred onJune 7, and Lawrence’s was early Wednesday morning.

“We’ve certainly had a bad run on 583 here lately,” Leggettsaid.

Other traffic deaths on 583 include Mark Ratcliffe, 43, of NewOrleans, and Deshawn Ratcliff, 20 months, of Bogue Chitto on April23. Pedestrian Raymond Earl Williams, 36, of Brookhaven, was killedby an SUV on Feb. 28.

MHP Troop M statistics also show there have been more fatalitiesin Lincoln County so far this year than in any other county in itsjurisdiction.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Dustin Bairfield, whoteaches a defensive driving class to people who have receivedspeeding tickets, said most accidents occur on the roads with whicha driver is most familiar.

“One of the things I point out during the class is the fact thatwe’re more comfortable on and more familiar with the roads aroundour homes,” he said. “So sometimes we tend to take a few more risksthan we would in an environment that we’re more uncertain of.”

Leggett agreed, saying that those everyday roads can turntreacherous if a motorist’s mind is not on driving.

“When you’re driving, you need to pay attention to driving,” hesaid. “There’s always some kind of distraction, like you’re on thecell phone, or thinking about what you’ve got to do at work, orpicking up the kids or whatever. It’s a major cause of seriousaccidents.”

Bairfield said speed is also a deciding factor. He said a cardoes not have to be traveling faster than the posted speed limitfor an accident to turn serious or even fatal.

“There’s a common factor, and it’s speed,” he said. “The fasteryou’re going, if you hit an object the more serious your injurieswill be.”

It’s about careful planning as well as careful driving,Bairfield said. The point is to arrive alive and not to risktragedy. Officials say taking precautions like wearing a seat beltand planning ahead can make the difference in a safe drivehome.

“Try to keep your mind on safety,” he said. “Plan to leave alittle earlier if you’ve got to go through a school zone, and becareful around those dangerous curves.”