JrGMan
Registered
The below listed article appeared on the Knoxville, TN News Sentinel's website today and I thought that those who come up here to ride might find it of interest. Plus those coming for the Eastern Owners Bash in September. I try and ride the Gap once or twice a week but continue to worry about the numbers of people, both 2 and 4 wheel, that I find in my lane. Ride safe.
July 14, 2007
MARYVILLE (WATE) -- Three people have died in two days in motorcycle accidents on a dangerous stretch of highway called "the Dragon" that twists through the Smoky Mountains.
The deaths have raised serious questions about safety along the eleven mile portion of U.S. 129.
Authorities said a couple from Florida were killed Friday when they took a curve on U.S. 129 too quickly and lost control. The pair were riding on a three-wheeled Honda motorcycle, which hit a car carrying a large boat on a trailer.
Their identities were not released pending notification of family members.
Highway Patrol officials said the accident knocked the 5,000-pound boat off the trailer and the couple became trapped under it.
Highway Patrol said a 40-year-old Michigan man died Thursday on the same road after he lost control of his motorcycle and slid off an 80-foot cliff.
Kevin James Hoyt of Highland, Mich., braked too hard while taking a curve and his bike slid off the highway and over the cliff into some woods.
To keep fatalities and wrecks at a minimum along this portion U.S. 129, the Blount County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are increasing patrols.
Lt. Ron Runyon says already the number of citations are adding up. "Like on the weekends they will have three officers here and, so far, between those three they will issue anywhere from 15 to 30 citations."
Some experienced bikers we talked with don't agree with the extra police presence.
"I think it's getting bad," said Jacob Lampkins, from Gleason. "We're thinking about not coming up here as much because, you know, you don't want to come here and get tickets all day long."
The increased patrols started on July 1 and they will run through early fall.
The Governor's Highway Safety Office recently passed on a $60,000 grant to help Blount County and THP pay for overtime during the increased patrols.
July 14, 2007
MARYVILLE (WATE) -- Three people have died in two days in motorcycle accidents on a dangerous stretch of highway called "the Dragon" that twists through the Smoky Mountains.
The deaths have raised serious questions about safety along the eleven mile portion of U.S. 129.
Authorities said a couple from Florida were killed Friday when they took a curve on U.S. 129 too quickly and lost control. The pair were riding on a three-wheeled Honda motorcycle, which hit a car carrying a large boat on a trailer.
Their identities were not released pending notification of family members.
Highway Patrol officials said the accident knocked the 5,000-pound boat off the trailer and the couple became trapped under it.
Highway Patrol said a 40-year-old Michigan man died Thursday on the same road after he lost control of his motorcycle and slid off an 80-foot cliff.
Kevin James Hoyt of Highland, Mich., braked too hard while taking a curve and his bike slid off the highway and over the cliff into some woods.
To keep fatalities and wrecks at a minimum along this portion U.S. 129, the Blount County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol are increasing patrols.
Lt. Ron Runyon says already the number of citations are adding up. "Like on the weekends they will have three officers here and, so far, between those three they will issue anywhere from 15 to 30 citations."
Some experienced bikers we talked with don't agree with the extra police presence.
"I think it's getting bad," said Jacob Lampkins, from Gleason. "We're thinking about not coming up here as much because, you know, you don't want to come here and get tickets all day long."
The increased patrols started on July 1 and they will run through early fall.
The Governor's Highway Safety Office recently passed on a $60,000 grant to help Blount County and THP pay for overtime during the increased patrols.
