‘I was almost hit three times by parents driving their kids to school’: Roadshow
Q: Parents, slow down!
I was on on a walk the other morning, and in the hour I was out I was almost hit three times by parents driving their kids to school by either not stopping and looking both ways or by blatantly driving through crosswalks.
I’m sure school dropoff is more painful these days with COVID procedures, but seriously you need to maybe leave a little earlier and slow it down! I’m sure if you happened to be walking your kids to school you’d want others to afford you the same courtesy.
Mark Fernandez
A: This is the time of year that these complaints pour in. And I mean pour in.
And it is getting worse as cell phone use continues to increase, even by people driving through school zones. A recent survey shows that nearly two-thirds of Californians believe that distracted driving is getting worse, including in school zones.
About 50% of drivers admitted to using their phones while driving. Also of note, the reported rates of phone usage while driving were 13% higher for women than men.
Q: Driving on the many two-lane roads in hilly areas is so dangerous. Will anything be done to make them safer?
Frank Pope, Livermore
A: Here’s a project you’ll like, near you. On Monday construction will begin on Kirker Pass Road between Concord and Pittsburg, in Contra Costa County and last until late January between 7 a.m. to 5.pm weekdays.
Guardrails will be installed, plus reflectors on median barrier, painting the existing curb with reflective paint, addition of delineators along the shoulder and installation of street lighting at the two Hess Road intersections.
Q: Head-on collisions are a constant threat on Frontage Road off I-80 as that very narrow stretch offers little or no way of escape for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists on the adjacent walkway. Reckless drivers routinely cross the double yellow lines on Frontage along 80 between Chevy’s in Emeryville and Sea Breeze Deli in Berkeley.
Maxine Butler, Oakland
A: Drivers, slow down, please.
Q: On our way home from the Martinez Shoreline for Coastal Clean Up Day, my husband and I couldn’t help but be appalled by the outrageous amount of trash littering the sides of I-680. Are there any updates you can give on this shameful condition? Sadly, in addition to being an eyesore, most trash thrown on the road will make its way to the ocean once rains come.
Linda Waters, Pleasant Hill
A: Caltrans will be on it soon, after fires are brought under control and crews are freed up.
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.