As a daily commuter from Hollister to Morgan Hill and back, I
have personally been witness to four red light runners and one stop
sign runner over the last six months. Two of the three appeared to
be intentional. That is they appeared to be driving aggressively
with absolutely no concern for what innocent person they might
collide with.
Dear Editor,
As a daily commuter from Hollister to Morgan Hill and back, I have personally been witness to four red light runners and one stop sign runner over the last six months. Two of the three appeared to be intentional. That is they appeared to be driving aggressively with absolutely no concern for what innocent person they might collide with.
The stop sign runner was coming north on Shore to Cottage Corners, (Dunneville), and ran the stop sign at a high rate of speed on a foggy day with school buses right ahead of him. The first light runner was on 156 westbound, and obviously unintentionally ran the red (my green), only realizing it three quarters of the way through the intersection. One car in front of me had already gone before he got there. I always look both ways, even when my light is green, and stayed put to avoid him. Another two were at Fairview and Sunnyslope, where the new light is.
My 16-year-old daughter encountered almost the exact situation as she approached 156 northbound on 25. She watched in horror as the car in front of her proceeded into the intersection, (on a green light) and was plowed down by an 18 wheeler. That was this last October. We never heard if the driver survived her injuries, but it was a lesson my daughter will never forget.
The fourth red light runner came barreling through 156 at Shore last night as I sat at our red light. As I looked into my rearview mirror, I noticed the gold F250 Ford pickup moving at a high rate of speed approaching the intersection in the right hand turning lane. I continued to watch him and determined that he was not going to stop. He made no effort to slow down or brake, so I honked my horn at the small pickup that had pulled into the center of the intersection, and he was able to stop. The Ford swerved and barely missed hitting the smaller truck dead on. Then the Ford continued south on Fairview at such a high rate of speed (I would estimate between 65 and 70 mph, maybe more) that there was no possible way to read his plate. I tried in vain to track him down after the light turned green, but he was long gone.
Now, I plan to contact Public Works to find out how feasible it would be to put cameras in place at these intersections, or at least at Shore/Fairview and 156, where countless people have lost their lives. If you have the same concerns, please help in making those phone calls and demanding that our property and gas tax monies be used for this purpose. Other counties have these cameras, and large warning signs in place, which photograph the license plates of the red light runners then send them a fine.
Our loved ones’ lives are worth the cost, and, please, don’t ever assume that just because your light is green, it is safe to go without first looking both ways.
Nike Anderson, Hollister
