Drivers on Highway 17 likely have seen it all

Q I’ve been driving Highway 17 since I was a teenager and the problem isn’t people driving too fast. It’s people who drive too slow and scared that create traffic and accidents. A Really? Drivers going too slow? Q As a Highway 17 commuter, I’ve seen it all. It’s Mad Max out there. If you drive slow, stay in the right lane even if you want to pass. Too many times people are cut off or tailgated because of this. — Jek Porkins A To those flaunting the 50 mph limit, slow down. To those jamming the left lane and not keeping up with the flow of traffic, move right. We’ve got to stem the rising tide of crashes. Q Highway 17 needs to be upgraded to a freeway, and has long needed it. … Highway 17 needs four lanes on each side. That would be glorious. … More lanes equals fewer crashes, don’t you think? — Dave Simpson, Mike Van, Chuck B. and others A No more lanes are coming. What is needed is a ban on left turns, building frontage roads and median barriers to force traffic to turn right before reaching a place to turn around and go in the other direction. But how many people will be hurt before the estimated 20 years it will take to do this?

But there are some who like the Los Gatos to Santa Cruz trek.

Q

Without question, Highway 17 is one of the last great roads in the Bay Area — scenic with a terrific selection of some epic corners. Pretty much everything a road can throw at you. …

In my youth when I couldn’t sleep I would drive over and back for the sheer fun of it early in the mornings when the road was gloriously empty. … I grew up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, learned to drive on Highway 17 and know this road like the back of my hand.

I love 17 and it is a blast to drive with a little element of danger. I like looking a the redwoods and the nice views. … I love taking 17 from San Jose when it’s a baking 95 degrees here. By the time I hit the summit it can be a cool 70 degrees. — Kevin I., Jessica Smith and others A Best drive I had on 17 was at 5:30 a.m. on a Saturday to take kids on my daughter’s swim team to a meet at Cabrillo College. Redwoods smelled great, little traffic. Awesome.