Fresh Snow Brings Dangers Of Sledding Along Highway 108
MODESTO (CBS13) — Fresh snow is bringing snow lovers to the mountains, but the California Highway Patrol says sledders are causing trouble on a stretch of Highway 108.
Officers say visitors park illegally along a 12-mile stretch of the highway, putting families in harm's way.
The spot offers the closest snow for people in Modesto, and it's been in high demand. More than 100 tickets were issued by the CHP last weekend because people's parking created a dangerous situation.
"They just don't realize how bad it is, or potentially could be," said officer Nick Norton. "Children that think maybe it's a city street in their mind may be a little more apt to wander into the roadway and that's just a disaster."
The CHP is bracing for a busy week as dozens head to the high country to enjoy the snow along the road near Strawberry.
Officers say a winter tradition went horribly wrong last weekend.
"It was an 8-year-old child," Norton said. "The parents were putting stuff back into the car, lost track of the child, who wandered into the roadway and was hit by a vehicle."
The Modesto boy was airlifted from a scene where No Parking signs and tow-away zones are clearly marked. Ignoring them can result in a $100 ticket.
"Whether we're there or we have to come in and sweep everybody out and issue the citations and then continue on to another problem area, by the time we come back it looks like we haven't even been there at all," he said.
Officers say some safer options are in Leland and at the Calaveras Big Trees State Park.
"If you're going to utilize the shoulders—if that's the only thing available on the side of the highway—make sure 1, it's not the No Parking zones, and 2, make sure that you're all the way out of the roadway—your left side tires are completely beyond the white line."
The CHP will increase patrols over the weekend to handle the anticipated crowds.
