Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By Kokanee on 10-21-09
I for one think that having a tractor and trailer on my rear bumper from Polson to Bigfork is a bit unnerving.Those roads do not need that type of traffic with all the driveways that dump onto it.I will not drive it unless I have too.
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By the way on 10-21-09
Absolutely. But you can’t ban truck traffic there. Try another angle, reduce the speed limit. I wish people would drive more carefully and show better respect for the the safety of others. I always take the 93 route even though it does take longer, I feel it is less dangerous. This comment comes from a local (ex) stock car racer, who felt perfectly safe on the track but not on the streets and highways.
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By Kokanee on 10-21-09
Correct if I am wrong as I do not travel 35 often.Isn’t the majority of 35 fifty miles per hour with a smattering of reduced speeds for a variety of reasons.
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By the way on 10-21-09
Yes and apparently these speeds (which are less than typical highway speeds) are too fast for big heavy trucks loaded with (sometimes) dangerous cargo. This is the second wreck I know of that was blamed on a tire just drifting off the road. I don’t recall what the other two were blamed on. To expect the road to be widened is a bit much, might happen eventually but not anytime soon. They aren’t gonna build a frontage road alongside it to serve the thousands of driveways. So what does that leave? Slow it down to a speed that a truck can safely travel at. Duh.
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By Kokanee on 10-21-09
Duh!?Not arguing that slower speeds wont help, but at what point does it just impede local traffic and inadvertently makes more reckless drivers who wont obey.Generally it is not a problem for passenger vehicles just trucks that are trying to make a living.Why wouldn’t you prohibit thru tractor and trailer combinations there are plenty of other states that do it.
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By mitch on 10-21-09
Exactly Kokanee! Why should the laws be changed for everyone when it is just a few very specific vehicles that are creating this dangerous situation.
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By TallTree on 10-21-09
The article mentions one of his truck’s tires went off the road causing the crash. Last winter a semi truck tipped over into the ditch in front of my place. One of his rear tires went off the flat road as the road made a minor bend and that was enough for his trailer to tip. It was a slow motion crash as he was going less than 20 mph on a road whose speed limit is 35 mph. The highway patrol investigated and, no, the driver was not drunk or on drugs. His mistake was to move over too far to make sure enough room was available for an oncoming car.
Therefore I am not convinced a slower speed limit on Hwy 35 would eliminate all truck crashes. If one section of a road is problematic, perhaps this section of the road needs to be redesigned and fixed.
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By H F Davidson on 10-22-09
I agree that lowering the speed limit further could cause impatient drivers to try to pass and make for more accidents instead of less. Was this chip truck pulling a pup trailer? The way those pups wander back and forth is dangerous. I don’t agree with banning truck traffic altogether but maybe a length limit that would keep the pup trailer rigs off 35 should be considered.
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Comments on: Finley Point Man Rescues Truck Driver After Hwy 35 Crash
Let’s be civil. The Flathead Beacon encourages vigorous discussion and lively debate, but we will delete comments that attack other readers, make accusations we can’t verify, stray too far off topic, criticize local businesses (call them if you have a problem), convict someone of a crime, use profanity or are simply judged to be in bad taste. We don’t always have someone moderating comments, so we ask for your help: If you see a comment that violates these ground rules, or you simply deem it offensive, please e-mail editor [at] flatheadbeacon.com. The views expressed in the comments section do not reflect those of the Beacon.
By Kokanee on 10-21-09
I for one think that having a tractor and trailer on my rear bumper from Polson to Bigfork is a bit unnerving.Those roads do not need that type of traffic with all the driveways that dump onto it.I will not drive it unless I have too.
By the way on 10-21-09
Absolutely. But you can’t ban truck traffic there. Try another angle, reduce the speed limit. I wish people would drive more carefully and show better respect for the the safety of others. I always take the 93 route even though it does take longer, I feel it is less dangerous. This comment comes from a local (ex) stock car racer, who felt perfectly safe on the track but not on the streets and highways.
By Kokanee on 10-21-09
Correct if I am wrong as I do not travel 35 often.Isn’t the majority of 35 fifty miles per hour with a smattering of reduced speeds for a variety of reasons.
By the way on 10-21-09
Yes and apparently these speeds (which are less than typical highway speeds) are too fast for big heavy trucks loaded with (sometimes) dangerous cargo. This is the second wreck I know of that was blamed on a tire just drifting off the road. I don’t recall what the other two were blamed on. To expect the road to be widened is a bit much, might happen eventually but not anytime soon. They aren’t gonna build a frontage road alongside it to serve the thousands of driveways. So what does that leave? Slow it down to a speed that a truck can safely travel at. Duh.
By Kokanee on 10-21-09
Duh!?Not arguing that slower speeds wont help, but at what point does it just impede local traffic and inadvertently makes more reckless drivers who wont obey.Generally it is not a problem for passenger vehicles just trucks that are trying to make a living.Why wouldn’t you prohibit thru tractor and trailer combinations there are plenty of other states that do it.
By mitch on 10-21-09
Exactly Kokanee! Why should the laws be changed for everyone when it is just a few very specific vehicles that are creating this dangerous situation.
By TallTree on 10-21-09
The article mentions one of his truck’s tires went off the road causing the crash. Last winter a semi truck tipped over into the ditch in front of my place. One of his rear tires went off the flat road as the road made a minor bend and that was enough for his trailer to tip. It was a slow motion crash as he was going less than 20 mph on a road whose speed limit is 35 mph. The highway patrol investigated and, no, the driver was not drunk or on drugs. His mistake was to move over too far to make sure enough room was available for an oncoming car.
Therefore I am not convinced a slower speed limit on Hwy 35 would eliminate all truck crashes. If one section of a road is problematic, perhaps this section of the road needs to be redesigned and fixed.
By H F Davidson on 10-22-09
I agree that lowering the speed limit further could cause impatient drivers to try to pass and make for more accidents instead of less. Was this chip truck pulling a pup trailer? The way those pups wander back and forth is dangerous. I don’t agree with banning truck traffic altogether but maybe a length limit that would keep the pup trailer rigs off 35 should be considered.