BRANDON, Miss. (WJTV) – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced safety enhancements will be made at an intersection in Brandon.

This comes after Greyson Huff, 18, was killed during a crash on September 13 at the intersection of Highway 18 at Sunset Drive.

MDOT crews are implementing new safety improvements, including the installation of rumble strips, a flashing stop sign, and flashing intersection warning signs.

Mississippi Transportation Commission Chairman Willie Simmons recently joined Brandon Mayor Butch Lee to meet with community members to listen to concerns about the intersection. Following a review of traffic data and accident history at the intersection, state traffic engineers determined the improvements.

“Our engineers and safety personnel have conducted another study and carefully analyzed the data. Based on current data coupled with federal and state regulations, a traffic signal is not warranted at this intersection,” said Simmons. “However, we have concluded that there are some safety measures that we are installing to enhance safety at this intersection.”

According to MDOT’s Highway Safety Division, traffic signals are not always the safest countermeasure. Traffic signals are necessary to assign right of way at high volume intersections from an efficiency standpoint. From 2019-2023, officials said 149 of the top 150 intersection crash locations occurred at signalized intersections. They also said 1% of all intersections statewide are signalized, and from 2019 to 2023, 31% of all fatal and suspected serious injury intersection-related crashes occurred at signals.  

“In looking at traffic data, traffic signals can make an intersection more dangerous, which is the last thing we want to do,” said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. “We are in the business of improving safety. These enhancements are designed to improve visibility, reduce traffic speeds, and create a safer intersection.”

According to MDOT, rumble strips are being installed on the approaches to the intersection to alert drivers of the upcoming stop sign. A new flashing LED stop sign is replacing the existing standard stop sign. Crews are also installing a flashing intersection warning sign on Highway 18 to alert drivers approaching the intersection to use caution.

Drivers can expect to see these enhancements completed next week.