Topic: Wreck involving tractor-trailer on 'The Dragon' kills motorcyclist (Read 5701 times)

DavidB · « **on:** August 03, 2011, 05:51:20 PM »

http://www.thedailytimes.com/Local_News/story/Wreck-involving-tractor-trailer-on-%27The-Dragon%27-kills-motorcyclist-id-014205
Wreck involving tractor-trailer on 'The Dragon' kills motorcyclist

Buy Iva Butler ivab@thedailytimes.com
A motorcyclist died of injuries he sustained this morning when the motorcycle he was riding on a section of U.S. 129 called “The Dragon” collided with a flatbed tractor-trailor.

Blount County 911 Communications Center received the call at 9:42 a.m. and referred it to Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The accident occurred near Mile Marker 3 on “The Dragon,” which runs from Tab Cat Creek Bridge to the North Carolina line.

Lifestar was called to fly the severely injured motorcyclist to University of Tennessee Medical Center, but he reportedly did not survive the injuries.

Motorcyclist Glenn Shilenberg of Amburn, Pa., told a reporter he witnessed the crash, saying, “The trailer tires were on the other side of the white line.”

The motorcyclist was traveling south and witnesses said when he came around a curve three miles from the North Carolina line he encountered the northbound tractor-trailer. The back wheels of the trailer were over the white line on the motorcyclist’s side of the roadway, Shilenberg said.

“The poor guy didn’t stand as chance,” he said.

Motorcyclists who were riding with the man said he was from Tennessee, but did not know what city.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of family.

A logo on the driver’s side door identified the tractor as belonging to Thom’s Transport Co. in Blackbear, Ga.

Tennessee Highway Patrol is still conducting the investigation.

dooinit2u · « **Reply #1 on:** August 04, 2011, 10:15:05 AM »

They don't need to pass a law prohibiting tractor trailers from passing that route, just put a weight limit on road that will make it impassable by big trucks.

I drive for a living and always have to re-route due to weight limits on roads...Just a thought.

SBB · « **Reply #2 on:** August 04, 2011, 10:16:19 AM »

Quote from: dooinit2u on August 04, 2011, 10:15:05 AM

They don't need to pass a law prohibiting tractor trailers from passing that route, just put a weight limit on road that will make it impassable by big trucks.
I drive for a living and always have to re-route due to weight limits on roads...Just a thought.

X 2

SBB

moscooter · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2011, 11:25:45 AM »

Why would a tractor trailer even be on that road

The curves are too tight in many spots to get a big truck around without taking both sides of the road..........he can't make any real time taking that road. I can't understand ANY (good) reason for him to be there in the first place. $:-\$

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2011, 02:50:24 PM »

I know on the TN side it is posted that Trucks should seek an alternate route. Why they persist in using that road makes no sense. Swift use to actually route there drivers that way.

Very sad, could have been avoided had the Truck Driver chose a route more suited for his truck, he should have followed the signes

Fattbaggernknox · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2011, 03:04:56 PM »

Local news only stated "another motorcyclist loses his life on the dangerous stretch of road known as "Tail Of The Dragon" No mention of a truck at all...

moscooter · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2011, 08:06:46 PM »

Here are some dumb-azz trucker pics..........(Not sayin' all truckers are dumb, just those that you see pictured here)

http://www.tailofthedragon.com/dragon_trucks.html

cvobiker · « **Reply #7 on:** August 05, 2011, 08:56:05 AM »

Better idea for the Dragon, the state should ban all two wheel and passenger vehicles from entering ornusing the the Dragon, 18 wheelers only.. Think how many lives would be saved

ultrafxr · « **Reply #8 on:** August 05, 2011, 10:10:43 AM »

Quote from: moscooter on August 04, 2011, 08:06:46 PM

Here are some dumb-azz trucker pics..........(Not sayin' all truckers are dumb, just those that you see pictured here)

Geez, sure glad I've not met any of these while on the Dragon. That is enough to keep me off in the future.

I simply do not understand why tractor trailer rigs are allowed on this stretch of the road when they cannot negotiate it while staying in their lane.

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #9 on:** August 05, 2011, 03:32:38 PM »

Quote from: cvobiker on August 05, 2011, 08:56:05 AM

Better idea for the Dragon, the state should ban all two wheel and passenger vehicles from entering ornusing the the Dragon, 18 wheelers only.. Think how many lives would be saved

Don't like that idea at all. The Dragon is a road I like to ride.

Driver should be charged with Manslaughter at the least.

Start punishing the idiots hard and others with think twice.

1sharprdkg · « **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2011, 09:26:12 PM »

First let me say I agree 18 wheelers should not be on U.S.129. That being said it is a "State" road open to all traffic. It is true is saves the truckers about 40 miles but saves them very little time wise. Keep in mind at ANY given time you may encounter people in large pickups pulling large campers or boats, hay wagons you name it, you may meet it headon in the next blind curve and you will have noplace to go. Hopefully you will be able to stop, hopefully others behind you can also. FYI.

hotroadking · « **Reply #11 on:** August 06, 2011, 12:02:29 AM »

Garmin is the problem. These guys look for shortest route and the gps doesn't know it's a semi so it routes them

Garmin needs to know what roads are not 18 wheel friendly and put an option for vehicle type in setup

Or warnings for roads like this if selected. Jmo

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FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #12 on:** August 06, 2011, 02:31:08 PM »

There are Garmins out there for truckers, with truck routes and such. they just need to use them

spydglide · « **Reply #13 on:** August 06, 2011, 03:24:46 PM »

Must be for lack of 'local knowledge'. $:-\$ spyder

Cvostu · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2011, 05:55:05 PM »

Those big trucks really should not be on that road. It's just too sad for that poor biker that lost his life over some guy that should have used better sense. Those truckers have to know that those roads cannot accommodate such a large vehicle.

indcoltz · « **Reply #15 on:** August 07, 2011, 12:39:54 PM »

What would work is if the State Troopers that are always patrolling the area would cite these guys for driving left of center. Moving violations on CDLs are frowned upon highly by transport companies. I know, the problem would be where would they stop them at.

cvobiker · « **Reply #16 on:** August 07, 2011, 01:06:22 PM »

Quote from: indcoltz on August 07, 2011, 12:39:54 PM

What would work is if the State Troopers that are always patrolling the area would cite these guys for driving left of center. Moving violations on CDLs are frowned upon highly by transport companies. I know, the problem would be where would they stop them at.

you brought a good point

,, and what a hell of a good cash cow the would bring for the state.

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #17 on:** August 07, 2011, 03:06:22 PM »

Quote from: cvostu on August 06, 2011, 05:55:05 PM

Those big trucks really should not be on that road. It's just too sad for that poor biker that lost his life over some guy that should have used better sense. Those truckers have to know that those roads cannot accommodate such a large vehicle.

The warning signs for Trucks are not at all small, or hard to see. You heading in from the TN side would have to be blind to miss the signs. Very bright yellow with black letters, I bet the letters are close to if not 12" tall or more.

I agree with the poster about the police should cite them from crossing the double yellow. Sure they may have to wait ten or more miles to safely stop them.

I know in CO many years ago I was cited for my RV trailer tire crossing the double yellow.

mark · « **Reply #18 on:** August 19, 2011, 09:57:01 PM »

why in the world wouldn't TN and NC ban 18 wheelers from the Dragon? It's obvious they can't maneuver on that piece of road w/o taking up the opposite lane...come on bureaucrats...you can ban mo-peds and hitchhikers from the interstate, but not trucks from a road that doesn't accommodate them.

ultrafxr · « **Reply #19 on:** August 20, 2011, 10:48:53 AM »

Quote from: Mark on August 19, 2011, 09:57:01 PM

why in the world wouldn't TN and NC ban 18 wheelers from the Dragon? It's obvious they can't maneuver on that piece of road w/o taking up the opposite lane...come on bureaucrats...you can ban mo-peds and hitchhikers from the interstate, but not trucks from a road that doesn't accommodate them.

I have no knowledge about this but since it is a US highway I think the Feds would be the arbiter of this. Wonder if DOT has authority to do anything. Probably take an act of congress, lol.

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #20 on:** August 21, 2011, 01:37:42 PM »

Quote from: ultrafxr on August 20, 2011, 10:48:53 AM

Probably take an act of congress, lol.

Well then it will never get done right.

indcoltz · « **Reply #21 on:** August 21, 2011, 04:23:19 PM »

Interstates are governed by the FEDs, the Feds have no say in what goes on this state owned highway. I do know in Indiana some situations for driving left of center can also get you a wreckless driving citation which is a suspension of driving privileges. Until some type of class action lawsuit againest these trucking companies is filed nothing will happen. The State Police does not have the man power to post a Trooper there 24/7. As a rule most Truckers are pretty cautious to others on the roads but just like anything you have that select few that know more than others and think they can get by with it or they got by with it before why not keep doing it until they get caught. The problem is they don't get caught until some one gets hurt, and until some one charges one of these guys with a criminal recklessness charge they will continue.

hotroadking · « **Reply #22 on:** August 21, 2011, 05:28:13 PM »

Quote from: FLSTFI Dave on August 06, 2011, 02:31:08 PM

There are Garmins out there for truckers, with truck routes and such. they just need to use them

Perhaps but they still direct them to the shortest route by time and 129 comes up.

At least both versions of the GPS should issue a warning when that road
is selected about it's difficulty (impossibility) for 18 wheel trucks...

Eagle Eye · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2011, 11:42:47 PM »

They have no business on The Dragon. It's far too narrow and twisty. If a vehicle cannot stay in its lane, take another route. It should be common knowledge for any trucker driving in the Southeastern US. I drove rigs years ago, and we were warned of load limited and inadequate roads. I believe it should be restricted by weight and length and marked clearly at both ends.

indcoltz · « **Reply #24 on:** September 02, 2011, 04:20:59 PM »

Tennessee could place cameras that would photograph the registration plates of these violators, send the citation to the Trucking company with a very large fine. They would pay for themselves in a very short time and they could free up the manpower of the troopers having to patrol this area so much. This would solve several problems.

Author Topic: Wreck involving tractor-trailer on 'The Dragon' kills motorcyclist (Read 5701 times)

mark