The Washington Road Riders Association was the prime mover of the issue to require the "Motorcycles Use Extreme Caution" signs. The driving issue behind the project was the inordinate number of fatalities on I-82 during a repaving project. Up to 5 deaths could be attributed to sudden extreme drops (4") in the pavement level. While a 4" drop is inconvenient and uncomfortable to an automobile, you can imagine the potential for catastrophe with a motorcycle.
. . . Even with the sponsorship of the chair of Senate Transportation [introducing legislation to put up these signs] was still a battle. The agency still opposed the measure to the bitter end.
That's freaking unbelievable. A four-inch difference in pavement levels (I assume between lanes) that would flip an unwary motorcyclist like a spatula, FIVE DEATHS during a repaving project, and after a YEAR of negotiation these weak-assed signs finally go up, STILL over the opposition of the state DOT? What possible reason could they have had to oppose putting up some warning signs? And why something so general? What would have been wrong with signs saying "Warning Sharp Grade Change Between Lanes" or something that would actually help. Like from the first day paving started.
Anyway, what Ig said about those generic signs "desensitizing riders like "Wet Floor" signs left up all day hours after the floor actually dried," it's true. Like those darn "Wet Paint" signs. That's why I always check for myself.
