Re: “Oakland’s deadly 35th Avenue to get flashing lights, but will that be enough to save lives?” (Eastbaytimes.com, May 22):
As a 30-year veteran of driving Oakland’s 35th Avenue, I am dismayed at the poor understanding of its hazards our city authorities display.
It’s unfortunate that the traffic engineers did not have a crystal ball when they selected this narrow street as the main artery between Fruitvale BART station and Merritt College. They could have chosen 38th Avenue — the old Key System streetcar route.
There is now no alternative thoroughfare. The street grid is constrained by creeks. Try to reach the Fruitvale BART station at night when the police have shut down 35th Avenue. It’s always an adventure.
Congestion gives rise to two classes of bad drivers: the macho, angry ones and the demented, clueless ones. Howdy, neighbors!
Flashing lights may improve things, but on my street, with the flagship HAWK (high-intensity activated crosswalk), we must still turn right, then make a U-turn because drivers can’t see oncoming traffic.
Amelia MarshallOakland
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