Turnpike speed trap

[Red Arrow]

A tad O/T, but what are those "don't drive into smoke" (or something like that) signs all about? And "yes", I know what that it means not to drive into smoke.

I was once told (don't remember the source) that the smoke can get dense enough to prevent internal combustion, both yours and your car's.   That's on top of visibility restrictions.

[patric]

That particular section of turnpike is torn up for construction now, so it will be interesting to see if they get rid of those inconsistent speed limit signs.
P.S.   paid $2.99 /gal for gas in Eureka MO this week, with it $3-twentysomething here.

[Hoss]

That particular section of turnpike is torn up for construction now, so it will be interesting to see if they get rid of those inconsistent speed limit signs.
P.S.   paid $2.99 /gal for gas in Eureka MO this week, with it $3-twentysomething here.

You mean 3.11 here?  And falling daily?

[heironymouspasparagus]

Why not have separate speed limits for trucks then?  Texas does that.

Separate speed limits are deadly.  Literally.  Plus, stupid.

[AquaMan]

I was once told (don't remember the source) that the smoke can get dense enough to prevent internal combustion, both yours and your car's.   That's on top of visibility restrictions.

Those signs date back to the late 60's. Seems farmers like to burn off their crops (it adds carbon to the land I think) and brush in the area just beyond those signs. It created a huge pile-up when the wind shifted and vehicles just kept driving into the smoke even though they couldn't see anything. They couldn't stop the land owners from controlled burns on their land and the area burn easily during windy drought periods, so they simply warned drivers of the danger. You wouldn't think it necessary to warn people to not drive into fog banks, through dense smoke or over cliffs....

[heironymouspasparagus]

Those signs date back to the late 60's. Seems farmers like to burn off their crops (it adds carbon to the land I think) and brush in the area just beyond those signs. It created a huge pile-up when the wind shifted and vehicles just kept driving into the smoke even though they couldn't see anything. They couldn't stop the land owners from controlled burns on their land and the area burn easily during windy drought periods, so they simply warned drivers of the danger. You wouldn't think it necessary to warn people to not drive into fog banks, through dense smoke or over cliffs....

They are still valid today.  No matter the source, fire near the turnpike can be an extreme hazard.  Last year and this year I have had to drive through some serious fire events that were at the roadway.  The smoke has ranged from minimal to total eclipse (stopped for this one).

Last three years have had a noticeable increase in fire at the road compared to previous 20 years or so.  When I was young, there were a lot of fires, then seemed to be lull (possibly imaginary) followed by a LOT of fire in the last 3 years.