Transporting harp from San Francisco no laughing matter … except in this case: Roadshow
Trip down Roadshow memory lanes still has reader chuckling.
Q: You recently asked readers to submit the most memorable Roadshow stories from over the years. Years ago, a reader, whose daughter was learning to play the harp, asked for advice on vehicles that could transport such an instrument. Several had suggestions, but one wrote that he solved this problem by leaving his harp in San Francisco. Perhaps it is my quirky sense of humor, but I thought that was hilarious.
Tom Darby, San Jose
A: How about the rest of you? I’m compiling favorite columns and stories and we will rerun some of them periodically.
Q: I meant to send you this months ago, but forgot every time after going through the Interstate 680 – Highway 4 interchange. After improvements were completed there, the speed and sharp turn warning signs were not reinstalled for all ramps.
Especially dangerous is the ramp for exiting southbound I-680 and entering eastbound Highway 4. There are no reduced speed signs, or sharp curve ahead warning signs for this very sharp ramp, hidden from an approaching driver’s view by the overpass.
Please get Caltrans’ attention ASAP.
Richard Miller
A: Caltrans has a number of paving projects planned for this area. Missing and old signs will be reviewed and replaced then. I do hear what you are saying about the danger here, in their absence.
Q: My observation is that large elevated freeway signs are becoming a more frequent target for “taggers.” This makes using freeway signs, if you’re not familiar with the area, an unfortunate challenge. Some of these “artworks” must have taken hours to complete, during which I would have thought the “artist” would have been reported and possibly arrested.
What is the typical penalty, if the juvenile or adult tagger is arrested and charged?
Jim Silva, Los Gatos
A: The penalty can vary, depending on how much the state has to pay to clean it up, and if taggers have had prior violations. Hopefully we won’t need barbed wire around access points to these signs. In the Bay Area, Caltrans has done two things to try to reduce access to freeway overpass signs: removing walkways to make it harder for taggers to deface the signs and, in addition, the state uses a new solution to make it easier to clean the signs with a high-powered hose.
Q: Someone once observed that in the ’50s and ’60s, L.A. drivers were superior. L.A. traffic during “rush hour” was bumper to bumper at 60 mph+. It was Darwinist Driving. Those who couldn’t handle it got off the freeways. Later, with traffic congestion, L.A. drivers became like the rest of us.
Jack Cormode, Mountain View
A: A great term, “Darwinist Driving.”
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.