Q: I wrote to you after a column you wrote about highway memorial DUI signs in 2007.
My brother, Juan Pena Jr., was killed on Highway 85 near Fremont Avenue in 2006. The drunk driver who killed him had been driving the wrong way on 85. Thanks to your help, we were able to get the DUI memorial sign installed in 2008. Unfortunately, Juan’s sign was knocked down five years ago.
Caltrans promised that a new sign would be installed by the end of May, before my father came to town for his 80th birthday last month. I have given it my best shot to no avail. I am at wits end.
During this season of graduations and summer festivals, a “Don’t drink and drive” sign is a good reminder to drive responsibly
Lydia Peña Sherrill
Mountain View
A: Yes it is and I certainly remember you and your brother’s death. The woman who hit him had been drinking in San Jose when she headed north on the freeway at Winchester Boulevard, slamming her truck into Juan’s tiny sports car car almost head on. She received nearly an 8-year sentence as her alcohol level was nearly three time the legal limit. Her license was permanently revoked.
Your brother’s sign should be back up this week.
Q: Gary, Gary, Gary, you disappointed me the other day. So Mr. Eugene Ely got stuck behind a road boulder in the middle lane on Highway 85 “only” going 65-75 mph and wanted to continue doing 75 mph. Isn’t the speed limit 65? You never even addressed that, but went on with your spiel about MIT developing self-driving cars that will automatically shift into slower lanes if impeding traffic. All well and good, but Mr. Ely deserves your “Scofflaw of the Day” award.
Janice Gussin
San Jose
A: Another person took exception as well.
Q: Interesting that Mr. Ely being the righteous and law abiding guy he is didn’t invade the sanctity of the car pool lane so he could travel 10 mph over the speed limit. Instead he passed on the right and continued to break the law.
Jerry Gifford
Salinas
A: Passing on the right is legal; going 75 mph is not.
Q: You wrote that MIT is working to make driverless cars change lanes more like humans do. Does that mean they’re programming them not to use turn signals, to cut people off and change lanes indiscriminately? Let’s hope adding dive bombing and tailgating are not next on their list.
Dale Allison
Sunnyvale
A: I suspect they’ll be on MIT’s list.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.
