This cyclist ran into me, and I’m at fault? Roadshow
Q: I was traveling east on Hamilton Avenue preparing to turn onto Highway 17 to go to Santa Cruz. I saw a kid on a bicycle going really fast. He thinks he’s going to beat me, I thought. No one is that stupid.
There was heavy traffic all around me. I forgot about him and did not see him again. I see people standing at the intersection waiting for me, and I go forward. I turn right onto the ramp when “thump.” What was that? I stop and see the kid and bike lying on the street. My passenger door and window show signs of impact. The Highway Patrol, Campbell police, paramedics all arrive.
So, end result? He entered the intersection after me, ran into my car, and my insurance company is paying $37,000. The kid was not seriously injured. I am relieved he was not paralyzed.
Joan Stutes
A: There’s a sermon I must give. Drivers like you turning right must treat a bicyclist like another vehicle on the road. Do not speed up and cut off the bicyclist. Merge in behind the bicyclist, then turn. Bicyclists often are traveling a lot faster than you think. And turn from as close to the curb as possible.
And Mr. Cyclist, do not try to beat the car. Merge in behind her if that is the safer move.
Q: Many of the ramps on Highway 85 between Interstate 280 and El Camino Real have signs indicating that the ramp will be “closed intermittently” through Oct. 15. Can you find out what is going on and what do they mean by “intermittently?” Is it for an hour at a time or a day at a time? Will all the ramps be closed at the same time?
Martin Gorfinkel, Mountain View
A: No. Caltrans will close up to two lanes on Highway 85 between Bernal Road in San Jose and I-280 for maintenance and lane striping. Work hours will be overnight starting around 8 p.m. until the morning commute begins. Some ramps will be closed, but in general only one or two at a time.
Q: Why is Caltrans spending a dime on trimming oleanders on Interstate 80? The plants are in the median strip and there are metal guard rails. The foliage does not block drivers view of the road ahead. This is insanity, especially when crews could be better used on trash pickups.
Allan MacLaren, San Jose
A: There is a very good reason to keep the highly toxic oleanders trimmed. Oleanders have been used because they are hardy and can take the exhaust fumes. But Caltrans has mostly stopped using them because they are difficult to prune and create a hazard as a result of sharp places resulting from pruning. All parts of oleander are toxic.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.