In the matter of a few short hours, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Kevin McFadden pulled over more than 20 vehicles near the intersection of Ferndale Road and Marine Drive on Friday, February 17th. At the time, both Marine Drive and Ferndale Road were closed due to flooding with “Road Closed” signs in place.
The emphasis, according to McFadden, was due to the number of drivers in the past few years who have driven past the official closure signs only to have their vehicles become disabled requiring them and their passengers to be rescued from the icy flood waters.
McFadden pointed out how, in the past two years, about a half-dozen people have had to be rescued from vehicles driven down either Marine Drive or Ferndale Road while they were closed. Already this year, there have been at least two instances of road closed violators needing to be rescued on these roads according to McFadden.
Drivers who go around “Road Closed” signs create a safety concern. Not only do they risk damage to their vehicle and serious injury to themselves and rescue crews, but drivers can face a fine of $124 or more for violating a road closure.
Under Washington law, RCW 47.48.040, the “Road Closed” signs mark a location beyond which all private and commercial vehicle traffic is restricted. Only law enforcement, emergency services or official road crew vehicles are allowed onto closed roads.
