Legislator proposes electronic warning signs near scene of deadly I-75 pileup

A week and a half after thick fog and smoke caused a deadly multivehicle accident, a state legislator wants to see more precautions in place.

Rep. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, is putting forward legislation that would add electronic warning signs alerting drivers about dangerous road conditions along the stretch of Interstate 75 that was the scene of one of the most deadly pileups in Florida history.

The proposed amendment would put the signs on I-75 and U.S. 441 just south of Gainesville near Paynes Prairie, where 11 people were killed and at least 18 injured in a Jan. 29 crash.

Visibility on the stretch of road, which is among the lowest in the county, was reduced to nothing because of fog and smoke from a nearby prairie fire.

That stretch of highway has no cameras and no electronic signs or message boards.

The amendment will be filed in an omnibus transportation bill (HB 1399), according to a press release.