When multiple signs say for you not to drive through this part of the road, you really shouldn’t drive on that stretch of road.
Highway 175 between Hopland and Lakeport is one of the shortest ways to get between the two cities without having to drive hundreds of extra miles up to Redwood Valley or down to Calistoga and around. This also makes it a popular choice for large tractor-trailer combinations to risk it to save a couple of hours, understandable when the shortcut is right there. But, as per Caltrans District 1 in a video they shared earlier today (Oct 12,2018) there’s a good reason they warn tractor trailers over 39 feet not to drive on Highway 175 at all. This tractor-trailer took a plunge into the deep canyon below and came out unscathed. Check out that horrifying video below.
As per Caltrans District 1,
State Route 175 between Hopland and Lakeport is limited to vehicles NOT OVER 39 feet in total length! Our contractor’s crew was out working on SR 175 yesterday afternoon when they saw this long truck trying to make it through a one-lane section of highway where a retaining wall is being built.
Caltrans further mentions that they’ve got multiple signs up warning truck drivers that you can’t be driving something so long on twisty narrow roads. Here’s a map of what I’m talking about.
As mentioned, the shorter route saves close to three hours. But, driving something so long and you’re bound to get stuck, which is what happens most of the time. Caltrans reports that truck drivers don’t heed signs all to often but escape unscathed. This, however, is not one of those times.
A quick search on Youtube reveals that trucks overturn here all the time for that exact same reason, not paying heed to warnings. Here’s a truck that overturned in February but didn’t plummet off the side of the cliff.
The sad thing is trucks drivers will continue to risk it for the convenience, and 90 percent will make it out fine. 10 percent will get stuck and one of of those ten will unfortunately overturn, or worse, tumble off the side.
Drive carefully, guys. Go slow and heed warning signs if you value, I don’t know, your life?
