‘No on Prop. 6’ ads are correct about the roadway death toll

Q I have a question on Prop. 6, the measure to repeal the 12-cent a gallon increase in the state gas tax that we will vote on Nov. 6. TV ads by supporters who want to keep the tax in place claim that there are 3,600 road deaths a year in California. Is that right? And is that all deaths (DUIs, accidents, etc)?

— Niall Adler, Campbell

A

Yes, that figure is right and it includes all traffic fatalities in 2016 in California. That’s a increase of 7 percent from 3,387 in 2015.

Every day I see TV ads promoting a no vote on Prop. 6 to keep the gas tax in place to improve transportation in the state. More than $32 million has been raised to oppose the repeal, while under $5 million was raised to support the repeal.

The tax will raise $5.4 billion a year for transportation needs and would be the first increase in the state gas tax since the early 1990s. On Wednesday a road group listed San Francisco-Oakland and San Jose as areas with the worst roads in the nation.

Q

The front-left bumper of our car was hit by debris on Interstate 280 between Sand Hill Road and Page Mill Road. I saw an orange Caltrans truck traveling fast in the middle median (like 50-mphplus), slam on the brakes and hit something. Then a second later, I heard and felt a bump on the front of our car.

I filed a claim and didn’t have high hopes they would pay to fix the damage. They denied the claim, saying I can sue them if I feel it necessary. Had the debris just been on the road then I understand that things happen and wouldn’t have filed a claim. But their reckless driving in a non-lane is what damaged my car.

Their response made me feel like I had wrongly filed a claim. Was I wrong in filing? — Darin Chin

A

No, but most claims are denied for a variety reasons. The Caltrans truck can use the median if necessary, but going 50 mph was not wise even if he was trying to gain speed to merge back onto the freeway.

Q

I want Mr. Roadshow to let all the pinheads at the metering light from Highway 17 south to Interstate 280 north to read the sign which clearly states “TWO CARS PER GREEN.” Thanks, I feel better.

— Dana Smith, Campbell

A

Pinheads, open your eyes.

Q

Do parents have dispensation from obeying “NO PARKING ANYTIME” signs on Nieman Boulevard and Yerba Buena Road adjacent to Smith Elementary school? Every school day there are parents waiting to pick up their kiddies parked along Nieman where the signs are clearly visible. The parents then make an illegal U-turn to head north on Nieman. The cash strapped SJPD could make a killing by checking this area.

— Ed Linn, San Jose

A

But there aren’t cops in the South Bay to combat parent drivers from such bad behavior.