Driver says to Bay Area newcomers — stay away

Q Back in the 80s, I saw a bumper sticker on several vehicles that I fervently wish would come back now in this era of insane road congestion, ridiculous apartment rental prices coupled with rabid building of ugly blocky new buildings taking away our free space and further encroaching on my patience.

The bumper sticker was as follows: “WELCOME TO CALIFORNIA. NOW GO HOME!” Thanks for letting me vent. Sigh. — Christine Koury, Belmont

A Geez, 1984 is when a pregnant Mrs. Roadshow, our golden retriever Ginger and I crammed into our tiny Civic and drove from Iowa to our new home in San Jose.

Nearly 40 years later, we consider it one of our best moves ever.

But high rental and home prices are very bad. Yet new construction means more jobs which is good. Terrible congestion is great for Mr. Roadshow, the ocean is a short jaunt away and it’s 90 degrees today under blue skies. Four out of six, not bad. Beats a blizzard in Iowa.

Q How about a bumper sticker which says “DANGER I DRIVE LIKE YOU DO?”

— Jeff M.

A That would get attention.

Qand I’ll keep this short

to the point. You said that Curtner Avenue striping between Booksin and Bascom avenues would begin Aug. 7. It’s weeks past that and still no stripes. I think they forgot about us.

I almost had a headon collision because of the ambiguity of the lanes. Someone is going to be seriously hurt because the city is allowing the contractor to lag.

Please help with this important safety issue. — Victor Brancati, San Jose

A Oh come on. It can’t be that bad.

Q I’ve seen several near misses at Union and Curtner avenues where drivers don’t realize that the outside lanes in each direction are turning lanes, and drivers are trying to go straight in all three lanes … Please work your magic. — Rebecca Knapp,

A OK, it has been really bad. Emil-the-City-Magic-Man says striping was delayed because the road layout needed to be re-examined. Final striping will be complete after Labor Day. “We have not forgotten about the residents and apologize,” he said.

Q Doubt I will get a response, since our city officials are in the back pocket of the anti-car bicycle coalition. If cities are serious about reducing traffic deaths, why is enforcement only against cars? Jay walking is epidemic to the point pedestrians militantly walk into moving cars, screaming or worse if someone blows their horn. — Jason Lehman, San Francisco

A Not always. The CHP issued 33 tickets Tuesday split between drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians on Middlefield Road in Redwood City.