Trucks on the Dragon

[paul_nap]

What can we do to eliminate trucks (that can't stay in their own lane) on the Dragon? Has there been a movement to stop this? Can we write to congressmen in TN and NC?

[brad@dealsgap]

Paul
I have a meeting set up with a NC Senator and this is one of the topics we will be discussing. The TNHP have been handing our tickets to deter such traffic. The problem is that is is a US Highway and hard to make things happen in regaurds to that. A local power house in the political community is also helping us out with this. Bottom line is that any emails or letter you fell you would like to write would help us out. Thanks

[Paul Barnard]

Unfortunately with the frequency of bike wrecks at the Gap recently, I'd have to say that the enforcement efforts directed toward MC riders is time better spent. Out of about 50 riders from our group two weeks ago, 3 went down. That's just unacceptable. As riders, we need to clean up our own act before we can go wagging fingers at someone else.

That being said, better warning signage would certainly be in order.

"Warning: Impossible for 18 Wheelers and Similar Long Rigs to Negotiate Next 11 miles Legally. Violators Will be Ticketed for Each Double Yellow Crossing"

Enforce that a couple times and the problem would go away.

[khelton]

Most of these trucks get in over their heads by accident....not by design...they have no idea what they are getting into..I have lead them through and they had fear in their eyes..one driver actually gave me the prayer sign as thanks....

Very dangerous.

[brad@dealsgap]

We have talked to the state about signs, they will not post them as iti s not illegal to go through the gap. As far as MC recks in the gap, 2 were crashed in 2 days by big trucks in the gap, but their were not too many accidents involving MC's compared to the numbers from the weekend. And alot of the accidents were caused by folks not paying attention to the road VS a speed issue. Not sure how one enforces or stops that with a heavy police pressance? What is that ticket called????? failure to pay attantion? The one fatality this weekend was on the NC side, 15 miles south of the gap on US129 the cause was the rider looking off at the lake and drifted into oncoming traffic......no amount of police would have prevented that.