Crashes worrisome, but banning is not the solution

Our beautiful but steep mountain highway, U.S. 14A, claimed two more victims this week, a motorhome that was consumed by flames when brakes overheated last Thursday evening and a semi-truck and trailer that went over the edge, literally, early Tuesday morning.

Fortunately, no one was seriously injured in either incident.

Some have argued that large trucks should be banned from the highway in the name of safety, but if that were to transpire, would we extend it to RVs, as well? What would a truck ban do to the ability of ranchers to move stock to and from the mountain? Would there be economic ramifications, as well? And how would an RV ban affect tourism? Where would we draw the line?

The truth of the matter is that drivers simply need to pay attention to the warning signs atop the mountain – and believe them. Obviously, it’s far easier said than done. But it’s also important that trucking company dispatchers realize where they are sending their drivers. They must understand the topography, not just the distance on a map.

As for RV drivers and others, the signs are certainly visible along the highway, and the warnings should be heeded. Drivers should and must pay attention and use lower gears.

It almost makes you want to place giant blinking signs at the top of the mountain reading “BE SAFE,” “GEAR DOWN” and “WE MEAN IT.” But do some drivers from flat states even know how to switch to a low gear?

There are many steep highways in mountainous regions of the United States, and our community should not be penalized by an overreaction to crashes, even as we stress safety as much as we can.

U.S. 14A was a marvel of mountain highway engineering when it was constructed in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, and it certainly is steep, no doubt about it. That’s why the highway is closed during winter months.

Our community is no doubt already penalized by travelers being told to take a different route at visitor centers, even those who would navigate the highway perfectly fine. But as for any kind of ban, we must ask the usual question: Do you apply a broad brush to a problem caused by a small segment of the traveling public?

We believe education is the key. And information. And while it is tempting to solve the issue in one fell swoop, we do not believe that banning certain vehicles is the right solution. We would love to hear any smart ideas our readers might have for improving the situation. In the meantime, slow down, use a low gear and enjoy the gentle ride.