Speeding: Jackson Long
A Lexus bears down on the backside of a slower moving truck in the same lane, riding its bumper until the next brief gap in the adjacent lane develops. In a flash the Lexus is gone, darting across several lanes and speeding out of sight within seconds; another typical morning ride on Interstate 280.Too often people drive like there is no speed limit; racing through traffic like they’re in the final lap of the Daytona 500, seemingly oblivious to the fact that an automobile driven at excessive speeds is a dangerous and potentially deadly machine.Thankfully, most times this is not the case. Mostly it is nothing more than a source of irritation for other motorists or the motive behind passionate middle finger salutes as the speeder flies by. However, on occasion speeding can turn disastrous, even deadly. A tire blows out; a car abruptly switches lanes without signaling, things that are dangerous enough when driving the speed limit let alone 25 mph above it. A couple weeks ago Skyline Boulevard was the scene of a 10-car crash that resulted in the closure of the highway for that day. Thankfully no one was seriously injured. It is unclear if speed was the reason behind the crash. Poor visibility due to fog was named as the reason for both the crash and closure. I am a witness to speeders nearly everyday, and in this case it’s hard to believe speed wasn’t a factor.In all honesty, I’m surprised there aren’t more crashes like this around Skyline. I’ve seen the fog around this campus, at times it can be one of the foggiest places in the Bay Area. Is it necessary to speed? Is everyone really so excited to get to school or work or wherever they’re headed to next? No.
Dominic Mitchell: Parking Tickets
With no remorse and little discretion parking tickets at skyline are served faster than a burger at your local McDonalds. The absence of four quarters in your presence may result in a hefty fine of twenty-five dollars, or one hundred quarters to be exact. A tough price to pay for often times forgetting or taking your eye off your vehicle for just a mere second. Just last week, completely out of quarters but on a mission to find some, I was greeted by an unwelcomed visitor. I was Enraged and fully aware that this isn’t the first time this had happened. I attempted to plead my case to the Skyline security officer, only to be told once again that the school offers numerous benefits pertaining to the parking situation. Yes, skyline does offer semester-length permits, but in reality not everyone is able to afford it. Daily parking permits generally are designed to alleviate the stress of parking as well as serve as a quick financial solution. But many times it can also create the same amount of stress that it’s trying get rid of. Parking is already hard to come by, and it’s sometimes so impossible that wait times can go anywhere from five minutes to 25 minutes.I’m not suggesting that parking practices be eliminated completely, and I’m sure that money sucked from our pockets goes back into the college someway or another. But some leniency would allow students who are burdened financially to know that the campus does recognize their issue and will try its best to help the situation. Financial aid as well as other student services can only be stretched so far. A simple warning ticket and a note proclaiming your information was taken down will definitely alert drivers that the next incident won’t be taken so lightly. But the chances that as students we will be given a break is very unlikely. So drivers, remember the next time you leave your house without a semester permit don’t forget your change.
