Road Signs

[skeeter]

are posted for our benefit and benefit some more than others. I passed one such sign today and have passed it many times before as I drove down the Interstate. The sign had a silhouette of a truck on a downward slope with 7% printed under it on a yellow sign. I know what the sign means and who it's for. I ignore the sign for the most part as I am not significantly affected by the information it provides. I wondered as I continued to travel, how many people ignored the sign because they were ignorant of it's meaning. As a test, ( because I knew he traveled the highway) I queried one of my workers when I reached the job site. I simply asked if he knew what a 7% grade was. He paused for a second and told me " No I don't but, I saw that sign and wondered what it meant." Funny sometimes how your thoughts are answered.

The sign is a cautionary sign warning, not only truckers but, anyone who might have an issue with the steep grade ahead. In this case a downhill so, slow down and get it in the proper gear so you won't have a problem braking and controlling your vehicle.

A 7% downhill grade means the roadway drops 7 feet for every hundred feet traveled. 70 ft for every 1000 ft.

10 miles or so West there lies a 30% grade..... think of that one with a semi behind you.

Just a FYI. My friend is a flatlander and didn't know. I hope this helps someone.