Dragon Patrol unit

[karen]

Dragon to get Patrol cycle unit | CITIZEN-TIMES.com | Asheville Citizen-Times
Dragon to get Patrol cycle unit

Fatal motorcycle crashes have risen sharply this year

Mike McWilliams • August 31, 2009 07:55 AM

ROBBINSVILLE — Motorcyclists on some of Western North Carolina's most popular biking destinations can expect to soon see state troopers riding alongside them.

The patrolmen's purpose, however, isn't so much to crack down on riders Labor Day weekend as it is to remind motorcyclists to ride safely. There have been five fatal motorcycle crashes in Swain and Graham counties on mountain roads near and leading up to the world-famous “Tail of the Dragon” so far this year. Those roads include N.C. 28 and the Cherohala Skyway.

“Compared to last year, that's a lot more,” N.C. Highway Patrol trooper Sgt. Todd Norville said. “For 2008, we didn't have any fatalities in Graham County.”

Officially designated as U.S. 129, the Dragon starts in Blount County, Tenn., and packs 318 curves in 11 miles. Although most of the road is in Tennessee, at least two people in a typical year are killed on the North Carolina side of the road .

The Highway Patrol has been requested to send its Charlotte-based motorcycle unit to the mountains for the past three years, but hasn't done so yet this year because of state budget cuts, Norville said. There are usually about four troopers whot come to the mountains on their BMW motorcycles.

“A lot of it is about public relations,” Norville said of using the motorcycle unit in the mountains. “We just try to explain to (motorcyclists) that this is not the road that they're used to because most of them are coming here from Illinois or Ohio where there are no curves or hills.

“They come to the mountains and they're not used to these curvy roads, and they get themselves in a bad situation quick.”

Most of the serious accidents on U.S. 129 happen in Graham County, according to N.C. Highway Patrol records.

Troopers last year responded to four wrecks involving injuries on U.S. 129 in Swain County and 20 in Graham County. Troopers wrote one speeding ticket in Swain County and 91 in Graham County.

The Highway Patrol participated in a safety awareness event earlier this month at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, located one mile south of the Tennessee-North Carolina state line along the Dragon. The event, which drew more than 1,000 people, is planned again for next year, resort owner Brad Talbott said.
Risk of unfamiliarity

Talbott said many accidents on the Dragon and other nearby roads aren't related to speeding or reckless riding. They are caused by riders who aren't used to the roads and might be riding beyond their skill level.

“We just really focused on folks coming to Western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee having a good, enjoyable time and to come back next year because they didn't have a problem,” Talbott said.

In past years, Talbott said he would see the Highway Patrol motorcycle unit about one weekend a month during the summer.

“They get a very positive reaction because their focus is not to see how many tickets they can write or how much money they can generate for the state. Their focus is the same as ours, which is they want people to come here and not endanger themselves,” Talbott said.

“We always love to see the motorcycle guys. They always have a very positive impact on the area, for motorcycling especially.”


K

[JW1200]

Anyone come'n up to ride the dragon or around the area watch for Highway Patrol on bikes. Gona be around to educate and ticket. We have had 6 died this year just around the smokies and not all rider related. A couple where hit on 441 buy a looky lou driver last week in a suv.

[dirtydan]

Originally Posted by JW1200

Anyone come'n up to ride the dragon or around the area watch for Highway Patrol on bikes. Gona be around to educate and ticket. We have had 6 died this year just around the smokies and not all rider related. A couple where hit on 441 buy a looky lou driver last week in a suv.

I had a car cross the center line coming at me there 2 weeks ago. It wasn't too far, but it got my attention.


Karen, I've read some of your posts and reading between the lines you appear to be professionally involved in these matters like with Abate or some such. Do you have a thread where you've posted about that?

[jamman]

she's on it ain't she...

[boogeyman]

I didn't see any on bikes this past weekend, but did see one sitting at a pull off about half way thru and then 2 more with bikes pulled over at the end...I had a Volvo in front of me slowin me down when we came up on the one sitting in the pull off, or he prolly would have got me!

[karen]

Originally Posted by dirtydan

Karen, I've read some of your posts and reading between the lines you appear to be professionally involved in these matters like with Abate or some such. Do you have a thread where you've posted about that?

Somewhere, probably in the new members forum. It took me some time to figure out how to use this site. I am with a state motorcycle rights organization.

K

[LouEvo XL]

Originally Posted by jamman

she's on it ain't she...

yes indeed...... info is good....thx K.