Driving the point home

This past April 21, upon arriving at the airport in Oakland to help

out my daughter at San Francisco State. I turned on my cell phone and

saw voice mails waiting for me. I, of course, expected love, kisses

and missing you from my wife. What I received instead slapped me into

fear and trembling.

My son and his girlfriend were in what appeared to be a terrible

accident. On the “S curves” coming home from school. His jeep had

rolled over and was upside down on the side of the road. He was

bleeding and the paramedics were taking care of him and his

girlfriend. I was assured that he and his girlfriend were OK; but I

wasn’t there to make sure. I wasn’t there. And I couldn’t get a hold

of my wife.

Newport’s “Dead Man’s Curve.” Sure, I bronco-busted those “S

mares” many a time and smiled every time I broke them. But this was

our son and his girl now, in a paramedic unit going to Hoag Hospital.

I had just seen and blessed him in the morning before I left.

Would I see him again, and if so how? Seriously injured? In a coma?

Worse? I was shivering and sweating with anxiety.

My wife called me at last and told me the best news I was praying

for. Our son and his girlfriend were OK. Our son had lacerations on

his wrist and leg. Four stitches for each. His girlfriend was sore

with no sustaining injuries.

Apparently, while traveling at approximately 50 mph approaching

Santa Isabella, his rear tires skidded from under him and initiated

the tumbling, until it rolled over upside down on the edge of the

road. He was able to escape and pull his girlfriend out through the

shattered widows.

They were wearing seat belts. Seat belts, seat belts, thank God

they were wearing seat belts.

My wife reached him while the paramedics were strapping him down.

I felt her relief when she realized the kids were going to be fine.

Special love and heart felt thanks to all the officers, medics,

civilians that were there to help.

The following day, at almost the same spot, a life was lost.

Another rolled-over SUV. Alcohol and speed presumably not involved.

Seat belts not worn. That damn twisted road twisting the lives of

another family. May God’s comfort and strength be their closest

friend.

Can that road be straightened? I don’t know. Even if it could, it

would be years from now. Accidents and prayerfully no fatalities will

continue; families will be broken hearted.

For my and my families part, I’m never going to bronco bust

another “S mare;” neither will my son.

AL ENCINIAS

Newport Beach

Does Newport Beach need to fix the curve on Irvine Avenue?

My answer is no. Having driven this section of road for almost 30

years, I can say that in my youth, it was sometimes a challenge to

drive over the speed limit around the curves. I now travel daily in

both directions and find that if I watch my speedometer and go 35 mph

(the posted maximum) there is no trouble at all navigating the

curves. This goes for wet or dry weather.

Seems simple (and square) but it works: Follow the laws that are

in place already.

TREB HEINING

Newport Beach

Do not straighten it out. Let people be responsible for their own

actions for once and either drive safely there or accept the

consequences.

RHODA FRIEDMAN

Newport Beach