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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Coping with Southern Oregon's changing climate ... Wyden, Merkley vow to reduce student debt ... Talent man faces new sex abuse charges ... Our View: Coping with Southern Oregon's changing climate ... Wyden, Merkley vow to reduce student debt ... Talent man faces new sex abuse charges ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: ODOT eyes variable speed limit signs on Siskiyou Summit MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 13, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Oct. 13, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> On Sept. 27, I drove northbound on Interstate 5 over the pass after the tragic motorcycle accident on the curve near milepost 6. While we do not know the details of the accident, I have often thought that the banking on that curve was engineered incorrectly. I warn everyone I am with to slow down. It is posted 50 mph, but drivers know they can usually exceed posted speed limits, sometimes by 10 to 15 mph. Has there been any consideration to lowering the posted speed limit on that curve to 45 mph, thereby giving all new I-5 pass drivers a better warning? Or how about improving how the curve is banked? — Roberta K., Talent On lowering the posted speed limit through that stretch, probably not, Roberta. The crash you're speaking of, which claimed the life of 70-year-old William R. Larson of Toledo, Wash., did happen there. The motorcycle he rode on struck four orange construction barrels before it crashed into a concrete barrier. But Oregon Department of Transportation officials tell us that accident wasn't because of faulty engineering. A preliminary investigation into that crash was looking at high speed as the culprit. ODOT tells us the bank on this curve in question — measured through a process called "ball banking" that actually involves a ball-like device — is at about 9 degrees. "Which is well within the appropriate banking, if you will, for that particular speed," says ODOT spokesman Gary Leaming. Exceeding that speed, even if you think you can get away with it as you mentioned, is not a good idea because of the grade, however, especially if you're in a larger vehicle. "Where you get into trouble is if you're in a large vehicle like a truck and you're a little top heavy, and you go around a corner too fast," Leaming says, adding drivers aren't always paying attention to their speeds and that that section can catch them off guard if they aren't. But ODOT isn't just shrugging this off. It's considering putting variable speed limit signs that can change instantly, depending on weather and visibility conditions through that section of the pass. Either way, continue to be on high alert through that pass. Sounds like you are already. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Oct. 13, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501