Could speed enforcement cameras help improve safety on Blossom Hill Road? Roadshow
Plus, a suggestion to stop odometer cheaters from tricking used car buyers.
Q: Blossom Hill Road is an essential four-lane artery between San Jose and Los Gatos. Rather than reduce its effectiveness by narrowing lanes, how about using automated speed enforcement? Unlike an officer, it’s on duty 24×7. As I understand it, the California Legislature is considering a bill to allow this. There’s no good argument against it.
N. N.
A: And …
Q: My father, Tim Starkey, was a victim of a fatal accident on Blossom Hill Road in December 2019. My family is shocked and horrified that few safety measures have been put in place following this tragedy, and so many since.
We will join efforts to improve road conditions here to ensure that no one else has endure to the pain and loss that we have.
Bridget Starkey
A: Another tragedy occurred here recently when Limin Cao, her 11-year-old daughter and their dog were hit in a crosswalk at Leigh Avenue and Blossom Hill Road by a car on March 26. Cao and the dog died in the accident. Her daughter survived.
A proposal for a test of speed cameras in five areas in the state has been stalled in the legislature for two years. It is beyond time to get this passed.
Q: There has been a good deal of publicity about crooks being able to turn back odometer displays to show much lower mileage, obtaining a higher price for a car.
A way to help prevent this is to add displayed odometer mileage to the vehicle’s smog history at each smog inspection. This history is available online for each car registered in California. Go to the California DMV’s website and search “Smog Test History” by license plate or VIN #. While not absolutely foolproof, it shows a pattern of mileage increase for that vehicle over time, and a mileage decrease will indicate fraud.
Please agitate our civil servants in Sacramento to make this happen!
Ron Johnstone, Santa Clara
A: This sounds like a good idea, thanks. We’ll see what the DMV thinks.
Q: I drive a boom truck. Our yard is off Hillcap Avenue, next to Granite Rockery and other big truck businesses. The flea market is next to us.
The entrance and exit cause havoc, not to mention all the food vendor trucks parked there. Cars don’t stop as they exit the flea market, despite all the big truck traffic. What can we do to stop this chaos?! The worst is bound to happen. Please help, road king!
Michael Bustamante
A: The flea market people will team up with San Jose police, who will show up occasionally to try to curb the chaos. While not a permanent answer, it may help move toward one.
Look for Gary Richards at facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.