Q: My car broke down on Highway 1 in Aptos. I got a ride elsewhere and when I called AAA, they insisted I return to the car or they would not tow it (I had left the car unlocked with the key on the console).
I explained that this section of Highway 1 is dangerous, with narrow shoulders. In many spots, there is no shoulder and I wasn’t going to go back or expose my wife to the danger to drop me off. I offered for the tow truck to pick me up first (not on the freeway) but no. I ended up going to the car from the frontage road and dealing with the AAA driver over the fence.
This seems very irresponsible of AAA (and their tow truck contractors). I think it should be illegal for them to require this under such circumstances. What do you think?
Andy Miller, La Selva Beach
A: AAA and other tow truck companies feel it is safer for you and their tow truck drivers if you stay with your vehicle. I understand your concerns in the situation you describe. AAA will look into this to see what else they could have done.
Q: Dear Mr. Know-it-all – and I mean that in a good way. Recently I’ve seen the white striping after re-paving in two different areas. The latest is on Farnsworth between Silicon Valley Road and San Felipe in San Jose. It looks like it was done by a child using sidewalk chalk. The stripes are thin and look like a good hard rain will wash them away. Please tell me this isn’t permanent!
Sandy Pollack
A: The current striping on Farnsworth is called “cat tracking.” These are temporary lines that engineers inspect to make sure the contractor got it right. It’s essentially a rough draft before permanent striping is done in the next few weeks.
Q: What is your opinion about people driving with dogs on their laps? I see this multiple times a day, and it is a pet peeve of mine. I am sure it is dangerous. The other day, while in Los Gatos, I saw a medium-sized white dog hanging out a driver’s side window, which means that the driver’s left side field of vision was obscured.
Liz Langer, San Jose
A: Riding with a pet on your lap is against the law, but it is seldom enforced. A pet can distract a driver and obscure the driver’s vision, even momentarily. Pet owners tempted to do this, despite the risks, should also consider that their pet could be injured if airbags were deployed in a crash.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow, or contact him at [email protected].
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