Blind Curves And Watching Your Speed.

I had the pleasure of riding along with G-town this past Sunday. On our final leg back to the DC, we were in a construction zone. There was a blind curve that slightly climbed to the right. G-town commented about being conscious of your surroundings especially in situations like this.

That advice resonated with me. Today, I witnessed why it’s important to do so. I was on my way to Costco. I take the local way (through an industrial/business park) into the shopping area. Lightcap rd is a 4 lane road the swings around the Outlet mall, and Costco. The speed limit is 25 mph. In the picture below you see the Speed Limit sign and the Blind Curve.

A tanker exited a trailer lot on Lightcap Rd heading towards Route 422 in front of me. He stayed in the left lane and proceeded to exceed the speed limit, ~40 mph. As he went around the Blind Curve he was met by this 2nd picture ( taken from the oncoming lane to show curve and light).

A red traffic light, while cars were exiting the Outlet center. The truck quickly braked, and his steers kissed the white stop line. Luckily, there was no accident.

What’s interesting is I lived in this area for 14 years. As a 4 wheeler, I never understood why the speed limit was 25 mph on such a wide 4 lane road like that.

Now, I do. Thank you G-town for the lesson Sunday. It was well taught and learned as to the reasons why.

I expect alot better from a tanker driver.

I expect alot better from a tanker driver.

If you could have seen the foolishness from tanker yankers and shipping container haulers I've seen today in PA and NJ.....

Gero wrote:

I had the pleasure of riding along with G-town this past Sunday. On our final leg back to the DC, we were in a construction zone. There was a blind curve that slightly climbed to the right. G-town commented about being conscious of your surroundings especially in situations like this.

Thanks so much Gero. Really good day, a couple of Qualcomm hiccups to overcome at the start, but overall, "no kidding", about as good as it gets!

I do recall the conversation and the curve. We were on I-78 WB through the cattle chute near the Kutztown exits.

I think the major take-away from the curve we went through and the event you witnessed, "don't out drive your sight line. Meaning, if you are approaching a blind curve and travelling too fast to safely stop in the event of slowed or stopped traffic. I reduce speed when approaching a blind curve, mentally prepared to stop. I also recall how fast some of our fellow truckers were ripping through that area of construction with a posted 50MPH speed limit. Just plain stupid.

And curves as described don't always align with the speed limit either. Common sense, experience and safety must influence the driving behavior.

Good stuff Gero...!