A too-often-told story is evolving on State Route 175 this morning after a 65-foot semi-truck is stuck after trying to navigate the twists and turns of the rural roadway.
The California Highway Patrol Traffic Incident Information page indicates the incident began around 10:22 a.m. approximately 2 miles east of the Hopland Rancheria.
The driver was reportedly still in the vehicle when the incident was first reported and after officials got on scene they found that the semi-truck is actively “hanging off [a] cliff” adjacent to the roadside.
The CHP page characterizes the incident as a traffic hazard and doesn’t indicate whether traffic is blocked.
The semi-stuck-on-175 story plays out regularly despite significant signage on both ends warning truck drivers of the potential danger.
UPDATE 11:49 p.m.: The CHP Traffic Incident Information page indicates that both lanes of SR-175 are temporarily blocked as a tow truck works to extricate the semi-truck from its perch.
Please remember that this story is unfolding. Information is being reported as we gather it. However, some of the information coming from witnesses and initial official reports could be wrong. We will do our best to get the facts but, in the case that something is inaccurate, we will update with correct information as soon as we can.
Paint on the road, pavement at the beginning of each side, in very bold large print “NO SEMI TRUCKS, TURN BACK NOW” with skull and cross bones. Everything else has been tried and failed. Also, has anyone contacted the GPS programs, maybe there is something that can be done with them too?
Has anyone considered possibly some of these drivers can’t read English or understand the signs?
I think Caltrans should have a radio channel on the am or fm for English and other languages to warn drivers about hwy 175. Caltrans has a phone number for road conditions to check on weather or closers. And there are roadwork signs to have the driver to listen to channel 530 am on the hwy your traveling on for updates and warnings.
Post a sign down by Cloverdale and Ukiah to give them time to listen to the warning. If a driver is not paying attention to the sign in Hopland and turns on to hwy 175 there is not enough warning for drivers at the beginning of hwy 175 after making the turn on the road. This could be the reason for the mistake. There are devices all over the U.S. that measures the height of trucks before they get to a bridge with low clearance. Maybe it’s time to have one that measures the length of the truck after they first turn on to hwy 175 and flashing lights warning them to turn around at the round about if the truck is over length. And the same on the Lakeport side.
Class A drivers need to be able to read and speak English before receiving their license.
I have witness 3 semi in the past wrecked and drivers are not respecting that this road barely fits 2 small cars on it….Come on now Truck Drivers….