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Message started by MMRanch on 12/02/14 at 17:12:40

Title: Dragon restrictions
Post by MMRanch on 12/02/14 at 17:12:40

I just received this email today . It was forwarded from the ABATE TN.

Last spring I wanted to go see the Daytona Rally and the ABATE FL. had the Fair Grounds (Daytona) set-up as a camp ground. Well they turned out to be a good bunch of fellers (not as good as ya'll) so I joined the Tn, version and come to find out they're a good bunch of fellers too !

Anyway this was good new to me ! :)

PR/Communications Director
CMT/ABATE

Good news for motorcyclists straight from TDOT.
FREEDOM COUPLED WITH RESPONSIBILITY EQUALS LIBERTY.
Ride safe protect your Life AND Liberty

-----Original Message-----

Sent: Tue, Dec 2, 2014 10:43 am
Subject: FW: Truck Restrictions on "The Dragon" in Blount County

Hot off the presses – this release just went out to media statewide.

B.J. Doughty
TDOT Director of Community Relations & Communications
505 Deaderick Street
Nashville, TN 37243

Description: Description: Description: YouTube Description: Description: Description: Twitter Description: Description: Description: Facebook Description: Description: Description: Flickr

From: TDOT.Communications Office
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2014 10:42 AM
To: Michelle Griggs
Subject: Truck Restrictions on "The Dragon" in Blount County

December 2, 2014

Truck Restrictions on “The Dragon” in Blount County
Limits for commercial vehicles longer than 30 feet on US 129 (SR 115)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following the completion of an operational and safety review, the Tennessee Department of Transportation has determined that vehicles over 30 feet in length will no longer be allowed to utilize a mountainous section of US 129 (SR 115) in Blount County known as “The Dragon.”

From 2010 to 2012, there were 204 total crashes from the Tennessee/North Carolina State Line to Tabcat Bridge (Log Mile 11.19) in Blount County, with six of those involving fatalities. This is considered a critical number of crashes based on the type of road and number of vehicles per day on this facility. While only one of the fatal crashes involved a tractor trailer, there were a number of incidents involving large trucks. Due to the curvy and narrow roadway, incidents involving tractor trailers usually block the highway for several hours and prevent travel for all motorists.

Signage detailing these restrictions will be installed in mid-January. TDOT has coordinated these efforts with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Blount County law enforcement.

North Carolina has similar restrictions for truck traffic on US 129 from the Tennessee/North Carolina State Line to the Graham County (NC) Line.

For travel and TDOT construction information, visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway/. Motorists are reminded to use all motorist information tools responsibly. Drivers should refrain from texting, tweeting or using a mobile phone while operating a vehicle.

###

Title: Re: Dragon restrictions
Post by Dave on 12/02/14 at 18:05:25

Ya' scared me.......I thought maybe they were going to lower the speed limit to 20 mph. Or maybe restrict the road to any bike other than a Goldwing or fully dressed Harley.

Getting 50 foot long trailers and tractors off the road probably is a good thing.

Title: Re: Dragon restrictions
Post by Oldfeller on 12/05/14 at 04:11:31

I have seen big trucks several times on the Dragon and it is flat DANGEROUS to be in the other lane when one is about.

What is sneaky is the way the butt end of the thing swings out & over equally as much as the cab did, but you aren't expecting that and some motorcyclists have been slapped by the butt end of a big rig when it swang over unexpectedly and slapped them off the road.

Title: Re: Dragon restrictions
Post by Demin on 12/05/14 at 04:22:26

I've driven truck and I see no reason that anybody would want to take a big truck down through there.It will make it safer.

Title: Re: Dragon restrictions
Post by Dave on 12/05/14 at 04:29:52

36373F3B3C520 wrote:

I've driven truck and I see no reason that anybody would want to take a big truck down through there.It will make it safer.

I would bet that most big trucks that got on the Dragon......didn't know what they were getting into. Most likely their GPS or map got them into it with no warning of what the road was like.....and once you get on the road there is no place to turn around.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebQP4SgFGgM

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebQP4SgFGgM[/media]

Title: Re: Dragon restrictions
Post by Kris01 on 12/05/14 at 15:24:08

I can drive better than that facing backwards, upside down with my eyes closed! :o

Title: Re: Dragon restrictions
Post by Serowbot on 12/05/14 at 16:36:00

I think he missed a cone... :-?...

Title: Re: Dragon restrictions
Post by Demin on 12/05/14 at 16:38:15

Dave,that's true.Especially with the truck that's shown.They(and a lot of other companies)have qualcom in the trucks.It has directions like a GPS.BUT it doesn't say they are for trucks(Qualcom is designed for trucks...duh)It literally took me through a cow pasture on a dirt road.Again...no place to turn around.

Title: Re: Dragon restrictions
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/05/14 at 21:21:19

THAT type of cab?On THAT kind of road? Its not possible to keep the trailer in its lane, It can be done Better,, but it cant actually be done,, If youve never pulled a trailer or driven a big truck,, trust me.. Where that 5th wheel sits and the length of the cabs wheelbase, the trailer is Gonna be WAY inside,, he did a crap job, yes, but I dont believe anyone can do it and actually NOT create a hazard. Maybe with a cabover, shorty, No sleeper,, Certainly not that land yacht design,,