McKean Road is scene of 7 traffic deaths since 2016

QMcKean Road in San Jose had another accident last month where two people died in a head-on collision.

It is no surprise, as McKean is a narrow road with twists and curves and a history of little traffic.

Now, all the driving apps send people to McKean to avoid traffic on the major highways to save a few minutes. It has created a really dangerous 3 miles, as the speed limit changes several times and people pass on the double line a lot to make up time. We have to remind visitors to be really careful, as it is a deathtrap.

How many peopled have died on this stretch?

— Konne Ainsworth,

San Jose

A

From 2016 through March of this year, there were seven traffic fatalities on McKean Road. McKean does not rank among the 17 safety priority corridors in the city, but seven deaths are a lot. I’m checking on what changes the city is considering to improve safety.

Go to visionzerosj.org to learn more about preventing traffic deaths and injuries.

Q

I am not happy about thoughtless people who leave empty shopping carts in handicap parking spots. I have had both knees and hips replaced due to arthritis. There have been times when the last handicap spot had a cart in it, and I had to get out of my car to move it so I could park.

— Carol Steiner, Mountain View

A

You raise a very valid point.

Q

I have a pet peeve with disabled placard users. So many drivers use these illegally. Go to any golf course and you will find all of the handicap spaces full. They can play golf, but they use the placard to park closer to the clubhouse. I wish I could invent something to stop people from using these placards for their own selfish and lazy wants.

— Linda Gray

A It’s possible some duffers may have problems walking and need a placard to park their car, but can golf because their golf cart gets them wherever they need to go on the course.

Q You wrote about those ugly bolts on some truck hubcaps that look sharp and dangerous, “but they are plastic, you can bend them with your fingers and they pop right off or crush easily.”

You are a bit too casual here. What’s the point of using these in the first place? These are not chariots.

— HP baumeister

A Your comment sent me back to Ray-the Tow-Truck-Guy, who said, “They are actually tin or stainless steel” and are used as a decorative detail.