Four decades later, pain of Archbishop Mitty teacher being killed on Highway 17 lingers: Roadshow

Q: On the rainy night of December 24, 1979, my English teacher at Archbishop Mitty High, Ms. Linda McKinney, was driving with her boyfriend on Highway 17 to Santa Cruz. He lost control of the vehicle, went over the yellow line that divided the road and had a head-on collision. Both were killed. As a result of those deaths, Caltrans started adding concrete dividers to separate the road. Over the past four decades, Caltrans added millions of dollars of improvements to 17, including concrete barriers, reflectors, tons of signage, a new type of pavement, and reflective striping. The speed limit was also reduced to 50 mph.

The only thing that has not changed are drivers who speed, cut cars off, tailgate, and have no idea how to navigate a road with turns. Examples are 17, 237 in both directions just before Zanker Road, and the “S” turn in both directions on 101 in San Mateo.

I propose that the CHP have a zero-tolerance policy on speeding, tailgating and the lack of use of turn signals. The time has come to crack down on these lousy drivers and get them off the road.

If you follow the speed limit and pay attention, lives can be saved!

Michael McWalters, Alviso

A: We too often forget about the personal tragedies on this and other highways.

Q: Your column about the dangers on Highway 17 made me think of a San Jose CHP officer who I used to know. He called Big Moody Curve “Volkswagen curve” because it was the place where, before there was a median barrier, those old Volkswagen vans were prone to tip over and crash into oncoming traffic.

Mattie Thornton

A: I’ve never heard that name for Big Moody Curve, but understand where it comes from.

Q: The comment about 17 having 3 lanes, one each direction, and a passing lane in the middle reminded me about my childhood days in the fifties when we made the trip from Los Altos to Seacliff Beach and the “cement boat” to play and fish in the summer. We referred to the third lane as the suicide lane, for obvious reasons, since opposing traffic used the lane at the same time.

I also recall that before they upgraded the highway, there were something like 23 speed limit changes between Los Gatos and Santa Cruz.

David Amaral, San Mateo

A: The constantly changing speed limits would have made a dangerous and complex drive even more so.

Q: The problem with 17 isn’t the road. It’s the drivers. Crackdown on aggressive and unsafe drivers. The fines should be enough to keep 17 maintained for decades.

Mary Ann Lahann, Saratoga

A: Many agree with you.

Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.