Highway 65 north of Lincoln is a dangerous stretch

Later this month, representatives from a special task force are scheduled to present their suggestions for making Highway 65 north of Lincoln a safer stretch of road. The ideas can't come any too soon.Nine people were killed in vehicle accidents on Highway 65 between Lincoln and the Placer-Yuba County Line in 2005. One Lincoln gas station employee who drives that section of Highway 65 called it "Death Road."Mark Williams, an officer with the California Highway Patrol who regularly patrols the area, said last month "that section of road, from Lincoln to Wheatland, is our No. 1 area for fatalities in the Newcastle CHP area in 2005. There are more fatalities on that stretch of road than what are on (Interstate) 80, High 49 or 193."What goes unsaid are the number of near misses on Highway 65, as well as the countless acts of road rage and irresponsible driving. As one who commutes to work daily from Gridley on that section of Highway 65, I can testify firsthand about the stupidity and sheer audacity of some drivers.Several weeks ago my editor dispatched me to take a photo of an accident on Highway 65. There was a light rain and the roadway was slick from a steady rain earlier in the day.Heading north out of Lincoln, I hugged the 55-mph speed limit until I was past Sierra Pacific Industries. One pickup truck rode my bumper, flashing its headlights at me, while another pickup truck passed us both.Once past the lumber mill, the speed limit increases to 65. I kept my speed at 60 because of the wet weather conditions. The driver of the pickup truck behind me must have been in a hurry, because he continued to flash his headlights and honk his horn at me for more than a mile.Finally, I pulled over at Wise Road to let him pass. As he did, he gave me the "one-finger salute" while blasting his truck's horn.I can't count the number of times vehicles have passed me on Highway 65, sometimes over double yellow lines, and sometimes with oncoming traffic approaching so fast I've had to slow down and pull to the side of the road.It's gotten so bad that when I come to work in the mornings, I now take Dowd Road to Nicolaus Road, cutting off at Sheridan. Unfortunately, Dowd isn't any better when it comes to sane drivers.Maybe it's just a sign of the times. Twenty years ago, most motorists respected and obeyed traffic laws. Today, it seems most don't.While the stretch of Dowd Road between Highway 65 and Wise Road has a double yellow line down the middle of it, I can't go more than two days without someone passing me by. I drive right at the 55 mph speed limit, meaning these motorists are breaking two laws, one for speeding and the other for illegal passing.A couple of times I have been passed on a small incline. I can't see the oncoming lane of traffic and have been forced to slow drastically for fear of being involved in an accident.On another occasion, I was the fourth car in line of about seven that were coming to the four-way stop at Wise and Dowd roads. One vehicle behind me passed by all of us, flying through the intersection without ever slowing or stopping.It's sad there are reckless drivers on our roads today. It's easy to blame the road, like Highway 65, for the accidents and fatalities. But in reality, it's the drivers.Lowering the speed limit on Highway 65 won't prevent accidents or fatalities. Nor will installing a rumble strip down the center of the roadway or requiring vehicles to turn on their headlights during the daytime.Increased enforcement might slow traffic for a while, but CHP officers can't be patrolling the highway 24 hours a day, so the accidents and fatalities will continue. What's needed is a conscious effort by drivers to be more alert, drive more cautious and obey all traffic laws.Unfortunately, I don't see that happening. I just can't wait for the Highway 65 bypass to be built. Then, all of the crazies who are in a hurry to get to their own funeral will hopefully use it, leaving the existing Highway 65 to us law-abiding citizens.- Richard Myers is a reporter for The News Messenger. He can be reached at richardm@goldcountrymedia.com.