Traffic light response

EDITOR:

Kudos to Darrel Carslon of Garden Valley who questioned the negative comments made recently in the Democrat about the road work in progress on North Shingle and Green Valley Roads. I, too, was very perplexed with the negativity of the letter writer (a retired female law enforcement officer) as I feel these improvements are the best thing to happen to this area since the Gold Rush. My husband and I have lived in Greenstone Country for 18 years and have driven these roads almost every day. We have witnessed many fender benders and close calls, but the worst occurred when our older but still pristine Mercedes sedan was T-boned and totaled by a gigantic pickup truck pulling a horse-trailer. Unfortunately, the driver of the pickup looked the wrong way when he proceeded to turn left at the stop sign at Green Valley Road onto North Shingle Road, crashing into our car as we were headed south toward Shingle Springs. If there had been a 3-way stop, this accident most probably would not have happened. So there’s a lot to be said about the temporary stop signs now being replaced by semaphores.

As for the letter writer’s claims that the 3-way stop signs cause unacceptable delays and that backed-up traffic sometimes numbers 14 cars, surely she must be referring to the junction of North Shingle and Ponderosa Roads in Shingle Springs. I have oftentimes counted as many as 20 cars waiting for the light to change so that they can turn left toward the freeway. Now that’s what I call a legitimate cause to complain.

My husband and I are very impressed with the engineering feat of widening the bridge as well as widening the intersection so that there are no blind spots. The lady claimed that “locals” knew not to drive recklessly across the old bridge. I am afraid, dear lady, that you forgot there are many tourists on their way to Coloma who speed through there, as well as many teenagers trying to act like Michael Schumacher in a Grand Prix race. So, I’m in total agreement with Mr. Carslon who wonders how she, as a retired law enforcement officer dedicated to public safety, can be so against something that improves our roads and the safety of drivers. It truly does not make sense.

MARSALI CALDWELL
Placerville