Some bridges and highways are particularly accident prone
Q It seems like every week, multiple times per week, stalls and accidents occur on the 1-mile “high rise” stretch of the San Mateo Bridge during commute hours. Why? Are drivers impaired by 150 feet of altitude sickness?
Why not station tow trucks at either end of all Bay Area bridges? Permanently. During commute hours. On alert. Ready to Roll. Taxpayer-funded. Will pay for itself in time and money saved. Please. — John Mazotta, Oakland A We do have the Freeway Service Patrol where tow trucks roam Bay Area roads during commute hours, but you won’t see them parked at the end of bridges. Traffic is bad enough on nearby Highway 101 and Interstate 880 that they are often dispatched to incidents there.
Crashes are up all across the Bay Area, such as on … Q I swear northbound Highway 85 is cursed between Al- maden Expressway and Highway 17. I drive it every weekday morning. There’s always a problem. Even on Christmas Eve there was a five- car crash with a rollover at 8:30 a.m. Being such a known accident area, more police presence in that time slot may reduce the activity that causes these terrible accidents. — Robin Slusher, San Jose A The CHP hears you. A few reasons crashes are on the rise: tailgating, rapid lane changing and speeding. Q This may not be a qualifying question for your column but maybe you have some suggestions. I drive an electric car that needs very little in the way of maintenance except when it comes to air in my tires. I am not good at checking air or at putting air in my tires. I do have a gauge.
But who can I get to use my gauge, check my tires and inflate them as needed? I am a senior citizen and cannot bend over to do the job. I shall be grateful for suggestions. — Dorothy Black, Oakland A Jeff-the-Tire-Man says any tire shop is very likely to help you free of charge. But you would be wise to call a nearby shop before showing up. Q I read the letter from SF Biker last week about leaving your beater car unlocked if you had nothing inside to steal.
Well, I tried that and within a month, someone broke my side window to gain access inside even with the doors unlocked. Crazy. They still ransacked the console and glove compartment but there was nothing to steal. Oh, they did steal a 12-pack of Pepsi I had in the back seat. They must have been thirsty. — John McKay, San Jose A I’m laughing now, but I bet you were not laughing at the time.