Road Boulder saga gets support

Q Thank you, Mrs. Roadshow, for the heartfelt message about Road Boulders blocking your way as you rushed to see your dying father in Iowa. Everything you wrote was so true. We can’t judge other drivers. Road Boulders, just move out of the way.

— Susan Martinez

A Jan’s account drew a ton of responses, almost all in support of her plea for drivers in the fast lane to move right if being passed.

Q Mrs. Roadshow’s story was particularly poignant, demonstrating (again) that the Road Boulder just doesn’t know the situation. Could be parents trying to make it to the hospital before their child makes its debut into the world, or a friend trying to get a victim to the ER. You just never know.

— S. N., San Jose

Q I used to live near Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City. One day, driving on Edgewood Road, I was passed in a no passing zone by a BMW going waaaay too fast. I let out a couple of expletives but continued on. Met him again at the light at the bottom of the hill and thought “Ha! You didn’t need to speed, you doofus.”

But when we pulled around the corner onto Alameda, he spun into the hospital parking lot. Uh oh. Maybe a doctor going to an emergency, or like Mrs. R, trying to connect with an ill or injured family member. After that, I always thought of him when I saw speeders and tried to give them the space they needed.

— Ann Foster, Santa Rosa

Q Mrs. Roadshow, thank you for printing this personal, poignant story. In this day when so many of us think only of ourselves, perhaps it will be a good reminder that our actions do affect others, sometimes in profound ways.

— Arlene Shambaugh, San Jose

Q I can’t believe you would let one person consume your entire column with a story about how speeding allowed her to be by her father’s deathbed. You’re fostering bad behavior with a violin playing in the background. — Steve Allen

A I’m trying to foster safe, responsible driving.

Q A lot of moaning and groaning about Road Boulders lately. If I’m not mistaken, several years ago you were championing driving 55 mph, 10 mph below the speed limit. You couldn’t shut up about driving your Prius at that speed. And trying to convince your faithful road sheep to do the same.

What is it? Have you changed your mind on driving below the speed limit, or do you just preach what your wife tells you to?

— Joseph Picone,

Sunnyvale

A When gas prices approached $5 a gallon, I urged drivers to slow down to get better mileage and use the slower lanes.

Q Gary, I love your wife! — Greg Salerno

A So do I.