Comments

Weekender wrote on Nov 11, 2009 11:45 PM:

" I've been driving up for 35 years now, since my parents retired in the valley. I agree that the canyon is dangerous, but it's MOST DANGEROUS due to slow cars, Harleys, and slow trailers that REFUSE TO PULL OUT. If they'd obey the law, then we'd have no quarrell.

By the way, why don't noise laws apply to those FOUL Harleys with their loud exhausts? If a CAR sounded like that, it'd be pulled over IMMEDIATELY. "




Obey the Law wrote on Nov 4, 2009 11:21 PM:

" An interesting note: after Art Freier was killed in the intersection of #178 and the Harbor Light Mobile Home Park, also on #178 in Mountain Mesa, I think this was at least 10 - 12 years ago, a speed limit was reduced to 45 MPH. Yesterday I noticed while passing through the new speed limit signs read 50 MPH--Surprised? "




Rek wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:27 AM:

" Well I'm glad you pull over for faster drivers KRVer, I appreciate drivers who do that. I try to be a courteous driver, even if I am a speed demon. I don't tailgate people until it's obvious that they're not going to pull over. However, after somebody has passed several perfectly usable turnouts I start to get irritated.

I still remember a time in the canyon I was stuck behind an RV. He was going 35 miles an hour and had at least 20 cars behind him. I'm sure you can see why I would complain about that. "




KRVer wrote on Nov 3, 2009 1:49 PM:

" Rek, the only reason I have any concerns about the the "speed demons" in the canyon is that I don't want to become one of their victims. Other than that, I don't care how fast they drive! I always pull over for anyone behind me. I don't need the pressure of them on my tail when I'm trying to "stay in the lines." "




Rek wrote on Nov 2, 2009 8:06 AM:

" KRVer you say the signs are there for safety, but so are the lines on the road you also mentioned. I break the speed limit in the canyon more often than not and I still manage to do it while staying between the lines and I don't consider myself an exceptional driver either.

It doesn't matter how fast you are going, if you can't stay between the lines you shouldn't be driving because you're at least as dangerous as the reckless speed demons you seem so worried about. "




Mac wrote on Nov 1, 2009 10:05 PM:

" "Skill" or not, it is just ridiculous to be stuck behind someone doing 40 mph when there are signs clearly stating that slower traffic is to use the turnouts. I've been driving that canyon for over 25 years, so forgive me for being just a bit impatient with the extreme slowpokes. I happily pull over for people when they come up behind me; it's just common courtesy. Only once in all the time I drove the canyon every day to work did I ever see someone get pulled over for holding people up. "




Gail Korner wrote on Nov 1, 2009 7:25 PM:

" Thank you KRVer for that. I respect the Canyon because of its danger and my mortality. I also respect Hyw 155 from the 178 to Kernville. I wish people would realize how vulnerable our flesh is and our lives are. Life is short on a good day, why acelerate the death process by aceleration on the gas peddle? I would rather be five minutes late than dead or in Hospital. "




KRVer wrote on Oct 31, 2009 3:47 PM:

" It doesn't matter how much "skill" you think you have while driving in the canyon. The signs are there for safety and it's your life you could be saving. If you're going 65 through the canyon and somone coming in the other direction goes over the line or hits the side of the mountain, you're in the river. If you want to die fine but don't take someone else with you. "




Failing to Yield wrote on Oct 30, 2009 12:26 PM:

" The biggest problem with drivers in the valley and especially on the canyon is FAILURE TO YIELD. The slowpokes, Harleys, trailers, etc. just putz and then act like total a-holes when you try to get them to follow California law and pull over at turnouts. I'm fed up and the CHP ought to ticket for failure to yield to drivers with skills. "




Gail Korner wrote on Oct 29, 2009 9:20 PM:

" I always thought that small communities were considerate and patient drivers. Learned early on that is not true, especially here in the Kern River Valley!!! I like to take the roads moderately slow (not below the speed limits, but with safety in mind). I have no problem pulling over to let faster drivers pass, but it gets serious when there are stretches without turnouts. Hopefully Gene will not be behind me when I drive to Kernville or elsewhere!! Sorry Gene I am a weak driver. "




Peg wrote on Oct 27, 2009 5:32 AM:

" What's the hurry? So maybe you'll get to your destination 1 1/2 minutes later....and? What happened to safety? The stretch between WH and Kernville has a lot of foot traffic and bicycles...and 25 seems pretty reasonable in Kernville considering people walk down the middle of the street all the time. You are only driving until you hit 65, then you are merely aiming. Slow down, stay alive longer. "




SoCalAl wrote on Oct 24, 2009 10:28 AM:

" Not only is the 50 mph section unreasonable, but the 35 mph section between the Golf course and Kernville has just been reduced to 25 mph! I didn't relise that Kernville is a Church or a School!!! "




DUH wrote on Oct 23, 2009 8:06 PM:

" Gene, get real.

Why don't you go ahead and drive 95 and see what happens.

You'll either have an accident, or get a well-deserved ticket.

What a stupid post! Sheez! "




Heywud Jablomy wrote on Oct 22, 2009 6:24 AM:

" So they make vehicles now days that can go faster than the speed limit? Who would of thought! By Gene Yearwood's reasoning we should be able to do whatever we want as long as the mechanical limits will allow such. Didn't Gene Yearwood write a letter a while back complaining about a ticket he got from an Officer who "didn't know how to play baseball" or some similar jiberish? It is amazing that the paper continues to print such ramblings. Maybe Mr. Yearwood, it is time for you to turn in your driver license? "




Rek wrote on Oct 21, 2009 6:53 PM:

" I have to agree with the writer on this one. I've only ever had one speeding ticket, well over a year ago, so you can't blame my position on bitterness.

I also find it strange that the speed limit between Wofford Heights and Kernville is only 50 mph on such a straight road, while the speed limit between Wofford Heights and Lake Isabella is 55 and the road is much more treacherous by comparison. "




Speed Demon wrote on Oct 21, 2009 11:36 AM:

" It sounds like someone got a ticket. The speed limits are set to protect all of the motoring public, as well as pedestrians, bicyclists and others on the road. Just because you think you are such a fantastic driver, doesn't mean you should be able to drive as fast as you want. If my memory serves me correct, there was a solo vehicle accident last winter with Mr. Yearwood as the driver. Yeah, go ahead and drive as fast you want Mr. Yearwood, and I hope the police keep writing you tickets. "