Why didn’t male drivers help a stranded female motorist?

QI am writing in reaction to the letter in Tuesday’s Roadshow column from Susan Tonus, who was driving a rural road in

San Luis Obispo County when she struck a deer and significantly damaged her car.

Susan wrote that three men drove by noting the accident but she questioned why none of them stopped long enough to actually help. My heart goes out to Susan.

I believe the answer lies in the fact that none of the witnesses were women. A woman would have had more empathy for another woman being left alone on a rural road.

Susan: If I had come across you, I would have offered to drive you to an area where there was phone service, or I would have tried to help you pull that damaged bumper away from your wheel so you could drive, as you ultimately did on your own.

I would not have left another woman vulnerable and alone. I guess you have to be female to understand the vulnerability in the world. — Nancy Turek, San Jose

AYou make an interesting point. Yes, a woman stranded alone on the side of the road needs to be cautious and other drivers should come to her aid.

A few months ago, a nurse on her way to work to treat COVID-19 patients at St. Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy was stranded for several hours with a flat tire, and no one stopped to help her, either.

QMy husband and I made appointments to get our Real IDs at the Santa Clara office on April 8. The DMV canceled the appointments because of the virus. On May 30, we received emails from the DMV rescheduling our appointments for June 25, and several reminders about the appointment.

When we arrived for the appointment on June 25, we found the office closed. A few people were milling about who also had appointments. What was going on? — Ruth Sitton

AThe Santa Clara office was closed unexpectedly for cleaning after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. Most customers with appointments were notified of the closure and redirected to a nearby office. Others will be contacted to reschedule.

QI have been watching the express lanes project on Highway 101 from Embarcadero Road in Palo Alto to Moffett Field. There are several sections where work appeared to be completed on a new median barrier, only to have it torn out and rebuilt.

Was there a construction problem? And who is paying for this rework? I sure hope it’s not us taxpayers. — Phil Fernandez, Palo Alto

AThe contractor incorrectly constructed the barrier and did the rework at its own expense.