As summer approaches and the lure of the open road beckons, the sinuous stretch of tarmac known as the Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap is set to see a ramp-up in traffic enforcement, a collaborative deterrent effort between the Blount County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) and the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP). The scenic route consists of a daunting 318 curves in 11 miles, testing the mettle of riders and drivers alike and making the need for vigilance ever more pressing.
With the promise of warmer weather, a spike in traffic on this iconic road is expected. According to WVLT, safety awareness campaigns will feature ways to drive safer and increased enforcement by both agencies. Unusually, more unauthorized traffic has been noted, along with daredevil riding and driving, which has been blamed for the seasonal rise in crashes. As a result of storms causing interstate damage last year, the curved highway has become an alternative route for tractor-trailers, adding to the danger.
In response to a troubling uptick in accidents on the so-called Dragon, including 112 crashes and five deaths last year, BCSO and THP intend to enforce safety more rigorously. Per an interview with WATE, Lt. Randy Ailey from BCSO's Traffic Safety Unit expressed the toll that fatal crashes have taken on first responders and stressed the need for responsible riding. "We want people to come and have fun, have a good time, but we want them to go home safe," Ailey remarked.
Local businesses are also attentive to the situation's gravity. Mandy Thomas, owner of Dragon City, shared with WATE that while the lure of the road is strong, it necessitates a respectful adherence to limits. "If everyone followed the posted speed limits, if you can stay within the lines and stay within your skill level and not try to overdrive it, you wouldn’t see the accidents," Thomas said. The BSCO plans to install more speed cameras and concentrate on safety, backed by Tennessee Highway Safety Office grants.
