I just found this on one of my sportbike forums. I just thought I'd pass it on to you guys.

Police on the gap

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I head up to the dragon several times a year so I monitor their board occasionally:

Posted by TNHP officer Cagle on his myspace page

"EVERYONE WHO GOES TO DEALS GAP------PLEASE READ THIS-----I'M TRYING TO
HELP YOU ALL OUT"

posted by a State Trooper:

"Hey, just to give you a heads up for next season----we have a new
captain in the knoxville district which covers blount county------he has
already told us that we will put a stop to the "race track driving" up
on the dragon this year------so far what they have said is that the
speed limit is 30mph and "ANYONE" caught going 50mph and up will be
charged with reckless driving and will be jailed and their bike/car will
be impounded-----I am telling you this because i am trying to put the
word out to everyone i know----or to people who know people that go up
there-----I don't want to have to take people to jail for this---however
I have bills to pay and I kind of like having a job---so never the less
I have to do what i am told to do-----so the way i see it is that if
killboy.com knows and you know and dealsgap.com knows and whoever else
can find out can pass this along---it will benefit everybody--------feel
free to copy and past this and let everyone know-------if you get caught
up there it is only your fault because i am trying to pass the word
along for everybody's sake-----we are not just going to come up from the
bottom like in years past---they are gonna have us go through cherohala
skwy in north carolina and come from the top down to the bottom----so no
more free rides on your way back to the state line----they are gonna
bring unmarked cars with radio's and have unmarked bikes up
there----this will be a joint effort with blount county and the
THP-----The entire THP motor unit will be brought in 2 people at a
time(for a week long assignment) to be paired up with the local
car----they plan on busting tail at least 3-4 times right off the
bat---then they will sit back and see what takes place-----these orders
came from Nashville Headquarters---we have a complete brand new higher
ranking structure from the very tip top spot down----they have said we
will work until the problem is solved----just wanted to give you and
your friends a heads up..........SIGNED..........Trp Cagle with THP
assigned to Blount County Division----(don't come crying to me if you
get busted----cause I'm telling you now)"

I don't know how accurate this is, but I know how we drive when we're there.

 

I've recieved 3-4 emails containing this same statement from some myspace page.

I can't say if this is a rumor or fact... But state of TN states:

I believe impoundment of motor vehicle and sited for reckless driving is probably the worse case possible..

Not that I'm condoning breaking of local or state law by saying this... But Its nearly impossible for a state troopers to site you for reckless driving and impounding every cars on the Gap for speeding. There is just not enough man power and Deals Gap is too far from many state/city headquarters (for impounding of vehicle)... They would have to have at least 2 towing trucks willing to tow at least 1 hour back and forth.. This means, with two trucks they might arrest max of 5-8 vehicles a day! And Second, its as dangerous to pull over on the Gap as its to drive it.. There are maybe 4-5 pull of area and if all of them are taken, the driver must complete the stretch of road before pulling over.. which means, Both TN and NC Highway patrol must work hand to hand to carry this out and Sky patrol is needed. But the problem is that, Sky patrol would need at least 1/4 mile of tracking of your car to determine the speed. Its quite hard to determine that thru trees and curvy roads of Deals Gap. Not to mention, the road must be marked so that the chopper could measure the speed accurately!

If we want to fight this rumor/fact, its easy.. Get everyone to pull over and take up all the pull off areas on the Dragon. Officers can not park there or drivers are able to pull over. Law states that the driver must pull over to a safe area. Also, unless TN designate a specific spots on the side of the road for state vehicles ONLY, you have as much rights to the pull off area as the officers do. If the officers forces you to leave the area, get their name and badge and report to THP that officers are taking up pull off areas for emergency cases and that you see potential danger! When they are warned and continue to do so, State could be liable for a lawsuit when something does go bad.. That, no state officials would want to deal with.

 

For facts..

Tennessee Speeding Tickets point system

Speed not Indicated 3
Speeding 1–5 MPH over the speed limit 1
Speeding 6–15 MPH over the speed limit 3
Speeding 16–25 MPH over the speed limit 4
Speeding 26–35 MPH over the speed limit 5
Speeding 36–45 MPH over the speed limit 6
Speeding 46+ over limit 8
Speed Less than Posted Minimum 3

Reckless Driving 6
Reckless Endangerment 8
Improper Passing 4

The Tennessee Department of Safety may suspend your Tennessee driver’s license if you accumulate twelve (12) or more points within a one (1) year period. A Tennessee licensee is entitled to a hearing before your driver's license is suspended; however, you must request a hearing within a specified period of time.

 

I cant stand police really.

 

So. it was a rumor

 

I went through the Dragon last weekend and passed a cop along Chilhowee lake doing about 70 in a 55...... luckily for whatever reason he decided not to turn around and get me..... however, when I came back through the Dragon to go home he had pulled over a Civic with some young kids in it on the TN end. So anyway......chances of getting your car impounded = slim to none........chances of getting a ticket with a hefty fine = quite possible. Be careful guys....the more attention the Dragon gets, the more they crack down.

 

Hey for whatever it's worth, I saw two cops on the TN yesterday.

 

I think one plus we've had is inviting the NCHP, Blount County Sherriff and whomever else to speak to us before we hit the road the last two meets. We know they're there, they know we're there.... and we appear to be a car club up there for a meet and drive, not a race.

 

So excited....

 

I wanna go...I've signed on to go with the S2ki guys, but I'd like to go with rx7club guys too...

 

Go with us! Forget those Honda guys!

 

haha... his name was trooper cagle... Kagel? that should have tipped you off right there.

 

Please watch this video and let me know what you guys think??

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6DCyu4HiDDo