Cars keep crashing and flipping in the “usual spot” on the GW Parkway in Arlington

It’s almost as automatic as Steph Curry draining free throws at this point.

Whenever there’s a soaking rainfall, it seems that some drivers cannot help but slide off the road at a certain bend in the northbound GW Parkway near Key Bridge, sometimes flipping their cars in the process.

One such overturned vehicle crash happened during last night’s commute, shutting down the northbound lanes for nearly an hour.

LOCATION: NB GW Pkwy / Key Bridge
INCIDENT: Traffic Collision
IMPACT: One vehicle overturned and in the roadway NB GW Pkwy just before Key Bridge. Seek alternate route. pic.twitter.com/FAx7KDP8uK

— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) October 3, 2022

And that was just the most recent crash during our current rainy stretch.

Over the weekend, police responded to at least one single-vehicle crash in the same spot.

ANOTHER PARKWAY CRASH— from just before 5:30 p.m. on n/b George Washington Memorial Pky on curve prior to Key Bridge. Single-vehicle crash with one patient with minor cut to the head. US Park Police have responded to several similar crashes today on area parkways. @ARLnowDOTcom pic.twitter.com/giLCQVPtOs

— Alan Henney (@alanhenney) October 2, 2022

Past crashes reported in the same spot include:

• A pair of overturned vehicles during a rainy couple of days in June 2022
• A crash involving serious injury in February 2022
• A crash involving at least two vehicles in September 2021
• A crash with an overturned vehicle that snarled morning rush hour traffic in June 2019

The crashes have, over time, pockmarked the stone wall along that stretch of the Parkway. The wrecks also inspired a Mike Mount cartoon earlier this year.

While this particular bend is arguably the most crash-prone section of the Parkway in Arlington, other sections have seen recent crashes, including the southbound lanes near Memorial Bridge earlier this morning.

#DC: SB GW Pkwy after the Memorial Bridge – vehicle off road to the right. Watch for response/tow truck along the right side #DCtraffic

Listen live: https://t.co/KpJlqpKxN7

— WTOP Traffic (@WTOPtraffic) October 4, 2022

The National Park Service, which is responsible for maintaining the Parkway, recently kicked off a major rehabilitation project for the busy commuter route. However, that work is taking place north of both sections referenced above — from Spout Run Parkway to I-495.

Short of potential future safety improvements, the best way for drivers to avoid crashes may be to simply slow down, particularly in rainy weather.