With accidents on the rise and the busiest months of August through October ahead, Blue Ridge Parkway rangers are stressing "parkway etiquette" and reminding drivers to use caution throughout its 469 miles.

And to park their vehicles before enjoying the sensational views.

Many parkway crashes, according to witness accounts and driver testimony, involve motorists who have their eyes on the view rather than the road, said Chief Ranger John Garrison.

The "etiquette" encourages cyclists and recreational vehicle operators to use overlooks so other drivers can pass. It also includes obeying the usual 45-mph speed limit and watching road signs.

Parkway officials started a campaign in 2002 to curb wrecks, Garrison said, after seeing a nearly 50 percent rise during the five years prior to 2001.

Within the past two months, there have been two fatal wrecks in the North Carolina portion.

Crashes have not been as bad closer to the Lynchburg area. A stretch covering just more than 100 miles -- through Augusta, Nelson, Amherst, Rockingham and Bedford counties -- has not been a high-volume accident area, Garrison said.

Bobby Miller, supervisory park ranger for the Peaks of Otter Ranger Office, said this year that the office has investigated roughly 20 wrecks from Mile Post 54 to Mile Post 106. That area covers Bedford, Amherst and Rockbridge counties.

Justin Faulconer is a staff writer at The News & Advance in Lynchburg.