BOTH NORTH CAROLINA & TENNESSEE HAVE HELMET LAWS AND ARE ENFORCED - WEAR YOUR DOT HELMET HERE !!

GRAHAM COUNTY SHERIFF

The 2006 General Elections brought a new Sheriff to Graham County. Russell Moody (pictured left) served the county previously as a medic and also as the county coroner. His main concern is the ever growing drug problem that rural counties face. Don't be surprised to find a law enforcement road stop during your visit, these are not aimed at anyone in particular - just a common practice in our area. When stoped, be cooperative and you'll be on your way quickly. Make sure you are equiped with your license, registration, and proof of insurance. All of the local leo's are very friendly and highly aware that this area is a tourism destination, especially motorcycles. You won't have a problem if you don't bring a problem. Area roads are radar enforced no matter who you are or what type of vehicle you are operating. Sheriff Moody has personally contacted Tail of the Dragon to welcome our motorcycle tourists and the same time emphasize his concern for motorcycle safety. As a medic and the county coroner, he has seen all extremes. He is fair man and he and his deputies deserve our respect. One last note - he drives an umarked, new, silver, Jeep Cherokee :) For more information visit GRAHAMCOUNTY.ORG

The elections of Graham County elected a new Sheriff in the fall of 2002. Bob Debruel was a retired North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper and waged a successful campaign against the incumbent Sheriff Steve Odom. The major change that Debruel has made is the selling of the Graham County helicopter which used to patrol the Cherohala and other area roads on a limited basis. This does not mean that the county roads are now open for racing. All county cars are equipped with radar and speed enforcement is a priority.

Steve Odom, Graham County Sheriff from 1998-2002, liked to tell the following story and it is true. While on routine helicopter patrol one afternoon in 1999 he spotted some rockets on 143 headed for the Cherohala. The bikers were obviously speeding. The Sheriff ordered the pilot to find a place to head-off the bikers. The copter landed on the only spot available, a bridge just a few miles before the Cherohala. The sheriff was standing on the bridge when the cycles rounded the corner. The cyclists offered no excuses and the Sheriff let them off with just a warning. A year later the pilot, who is also an avid cyclist (he owns eight bikes including one of the nicest custom Harley's I've ever seen), was at the COT talking to a group of bikers when one of them told the story of the copter stopping his group on the backwoods bridge. The pilot heard him say that he was a Chief of Police from another town in North Carolina. The pilot then introduced himself and they all had a good laugh. This story has made the rounds in North Carolina law enforcement. What a coincidence.

By the way, the many horror stories circulated about Graham County Sheriff's Office harrassing bikers during the BMW Rally back in 1997 were untrue. There were nineteen tickets issued county-wide to all vehicles that week-end (most were issued to sport bikes). One biker was arrested for indecent exposure. I've been informed recently of law enforcement harassment on the Tennessee side of the mountain during that week-end. I cannot comment one way or the other on these allegations as my contacts are only with the North Carolina law enforcement agencies. The Internet rumor of rival motorcycle gangs preparing to fight it out was never taken seriously by authorities.

THE LAW ON THE TAIL OF THE DRAGON (Blount County TN Sheriff's web page)
Blount County has a new black traffic enforcement vehicle which is hard to spot because it has no exterior light bars. You will usually see the Blount County Sheriff's cars on 129 along the Little Tennessee River straight-aways and sitting at the Tabcat Creek Bridge. Tennessee Sheriff and Highway Patrol units normally stay off of the Tail of the Dragon unless investigating an accident. At times enforcement is stepped up when a lot of complaints are made. During heavy enforcement, you can expect plain wrappers on the Dragon, speed clocking, video taping, road blocks for license/inspection, and numerous marked cars along US129.

Heavy enforcement is sporadic, so we suggest you abide by the traffic laws at all times. TNHP often has radar on HWY 72 and US 129 along the lake.
CLICK HERE to view RADAR MAP

Equal enforcement of the double yellow violations by all vehicles? See what Tennessee officials say. CLICK HERE

THE LAW ON THE CHEROHALA SKYWAY (Monroe County TN Sheriff's web page)
Radar, both static and moving, is active on the Cherohala North Carolina side, usually on the weekends or when complaints are called in about high speed riders. Be advised that many local volunteers firefighters/EMTs have radios in their vehicles and will report major violations such as passing on the double yellow and high speeds on all of the county roads. Speed limit on the North Carolina side is 45 mph .... on the Tennessee side it is questionable. We have been told it is 30 mph, but there is a REDUCE SPEED sign at the state line where it becomes 45 in NC. There are two 30 mph signs between Tellico Plains and the state line, some 35 miles. Seems to us the speed limit is 55 where not posted every few miles.

OTHER LAW ENFORCERS IN THE AREA
Other law enforcement agencies in the area include the TVA Police, Forest Service Officers, Park Police, Wildlife Officers, and Cherokee Tribal Police. These are federal cops and you had better be nice when you encounter one of them. They are not lurking around every corner, but you need to be aware. TVA is usually in the Fontana Dam area and often lets you off with a warning. The Cherokee Police patrol 143 between Robbinsville and the Cherohala Skyway. They have radar and sometimes set up a license check at the 143/143Business intersection.

• LAWS THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF WHILE IN THE AREA (FUN)
• TN DRAG RACING LAW (NOT SO FUN)