Smoother pavement coming to Highway 87 as project begins this weekend (with lane closures): Roadshow
Plus, a reader points out that older drivers may draw complaints, but that doesn't mean they are as dangerous as younger, faster drivers.
Q: Get ready for new pavement on Highway 87.
A: Caltrans will begin the Highway 87 pavement improvement project this weekend. Overnight closures will be Thursday from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday, and Friday from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday. These lane closures will be in the southbound and northbound directions of Highway 87 between the Julian Street undercrossing and Highway 85.
Detours and signs will be in place. For more information, visit Caltrans’ web page for this project, which is expected to be finished in the spring of 2025.
Q: I was heading into San Francisco from Oakland last weekend, and was not alone, as traffic was backed up into the maze approaching the Bay Bridge. I had the option of exiting onto the carpool/bus ramp, but I hesitated, got stuck in traffic and then had plenty of time to ponder the legalities as I watched plenty of other cars zip through the toll lanes much faster. Is it OK to take the carpool ramp when it’s not carpool hours? And would I still be charged when I go through the toll lane?
Jennifer Moline, Oakland
A: You can use the carpool ramp when outside carpool hours. You can also use express lanes, or toll lanes, outside express lane hours, Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Q: I read the recent discussion in your column about drivers in their 90s and older. I am a good driver and not many years away from 90. There is a legitimate concern about aging drivers’ capabilities. However, how does this concern compare to the concerns of some much younger drivers’ states of mind? Specifically, I’m referring to drivers who are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving at unsafe speeds or using unsafe maneuvers, driving with cell phone distractions. In my years of driving, I have seen some bad accidents and they were never the fault of an old driver.
Most complaints regarding older drivers are: driving a little below the speed limit, actually stopping at an intersection on a yellow light, being too slow and poky on turns at intersections. As suggested by your discussion, almost all older drivers will choose to stop driving before they are responsible for a serious accident. When I am driving, the last type of driver that I am concerned about is an old driver or a teenager with a provisional license. A serious accident will most likely be the fault of a careless young adult driver.
Larry Harrison, Cupertino
A: Younger drivers can have lapses of judgment and attention when driving. Factors involved in many serious accidents include speeding, aggressive driving, distracted driving or drivers who are impaired by alcohol or drugs. For more information, see the California Strategic Highway Safety Plan’s Traffic Safety Facts, released last April.
Look for Gary Richards at facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.