PennDOT: Truckers Ignoring Exit Ramp Ban Could Have Deadly Consequences

Discussion in 'Trucking Accidents' started by jontank, Oct 24, 2014.

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  1. jontank

    jontank Light Load Member

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    http://wnep.com/2014/09/11/penndot-truckers-ignoring-exit-ramp-ban-could-have-deadly-consequences/

    SCRANTON — The driver of a tractor trailer that crashed near the Viewmont Mall in Scranton may now face citations for a slew of violations.
    Wednesday’s crash in Lackawanna County is also shedding new light on the problem of truckers ignoring a truck ban and taking a ramp that they aren’t supposed to take.
    The interchange near the Viewmont Mall is one of the busiest sections of road in Lackawanna County. It’s where Routes 6, 11, 307, and 81 all come together.
    Traffic was at a standstill just after that crash Wednesday morning. And PennDOT officials said it could have been avoided if the trucker obeyed a weight restriction.
    Many drivers on the North Scranton Expressway were in the wrong place at the wrong time Wednesday when they were stuck north and south of a nasty tractor trailer crash. Police said the trucker was in the wrong place, too. The truck exited Interstate 81 South on a ramp that’s off limits for trucks of that size.
    Leading up to the exit there are three signs saying trucks weighing more than 10 and a half tons need to keep going, and PennDOT says it’s pretty clear why.
    “We do that because obviously you’re coming downhill onto a t-intersection. We’ve had at least two crashes like this and a few fatalities down here,” said PennDOT spokesperson James May.
    Four people were hurt after a similar crash in 2011.
    PennDOT officials said when the crash happened Wednesday, the next vehicle to come down the restricted ramp was another overweight tractor trailer.
    Workers at Pet Palace on nearby Business Route 6 watched the traffic back up Wednesday far past their window. They said they see tractor trailers on the banned exit ramp all the time, but never thought of the consequences.
    “We see trucks go past the store and down at the other end every day, probably every hour,” said Curtis Rost, an employee at Pet Palace. “I’ve never seen it turn into a problem. But after yesterday obviously, bad things can happen.”
    No one was hurt in the crash Wednesday, but PennDOT officials think if the traffic there had been busier someone could have been seriously hurt, even killed. State police are expecting to cite the tractor trailer driver next week.
     
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  3. AppalachianTrucker

    AppalachianTrucker Heavy Load Member

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    Scranton is a rat's nest.
    If people are being killed and crashes are common, then maybe it's time to do something about it beyond prohibiting trucks and posting signs...
    If the road is unsafe, RE-ENGINEER THAT SUCKER, Pennsyltucky.
    Stop blaming drivers for your crapola dangerous roads.
     
  4. passingthru69

    passingthru69 Road Train Member

    Color or where somebody is from has nothing to do with just being stupid.
    I get up that way every now and then. No truck signs are there for a reason.
    Plain and simple
     
  5. Knucklehead619

    Knucklehead619 Medium Load Member

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    You sir are a racist (insert appropriate expletive here).

    Ok guys, don't feed this troll...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2014
  6. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    I agree with you. The downhill to the T-intersection is not really a problem - it's a long gradual grade. The real problem with that exit is the limited sight distance and the crossing traffic after making the right turn.

    The probable reason that trucks are taking that exit is that THE RESTRICTION SIGNS ARE BLOCKED FROM VIEW BY THE TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION ZONE SIGNS. Yes, that's right. You can see the restriction signs when driving a car or pickup truck, but they are blocked from view when in the cab of a class-8 truck. If you're not a local driver, you might not see them. Or you'll see them, but you can't read the exit number (so you won't know which exit not to take).

    The alternative to that exit is to take the one before it (PA Turnpike / US11). If you take that exit, then stay on US11, you will end up at the same place. Problem is, the PA Turnpike exit is marked in such a way that it looks like the PA Turnpike is the only option when you take that exit.

    That whole area is a big fustercluck, and will continue to be so until the construction is finished.
     
    AppalachianTrucker Thanks this.
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