Comments on: Is Highway 17 That Dangerous or Is It Just Laurel Curve?

By: David Coelho

David Coelho — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 22:15:10 +0000

I am searching for a photo of the old cloud 9 on the summit hwy to santa cruz…has anyone seen or have one?

By: Donna L

Donna L — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 17:08:53 +0000

Very interesting article, I live in Las Vegas… and go to Santa Cruz to visit my daughter and grandkids often. They live in one city and drive to Scotts Valley daily down 17 and I admit that road scares me and I pray every time I have to drive it! I’m from West Virginia… and those roads don’t scare me half as much as that one does! People please slow down!!! It’s sad when you see a car upside down and your granddaughter says: Oh, that happens all the times…”

By: Dosha

Dosha — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 19:37:50 +0000

In reply to Crissa.

In the southbound direction during commute hours, most of the white and black speed limit signs are hidden behind the large trucks, SUVs, tractor-trailer rigs and buses for compact vehicles driving in the left lane.

The 40 mph advisory signs on the tight curves are visible, but the 50 mph limit signs for general speed are posted too low to be seen over the right lane vehicles.

There is an easily visible 65 mph sign on 880/17 before Los Gatos. There is an easily visible 65 mph sign in Scotts Valley. It is easy to see how otherwise good drivers would not know of the 50 mph general speed limit on 17, or where this road ceases to be freeway.

During morning commutes, the right lane is end to end trucks going ~35 mph or less. The passenger cars are usually driving in the left lane. The 50 mph general speed limit and End Freeway signs on the right side are not visible at busy times of day.

Hwy 17’s tight lanes and curves require diligent attention to the road. A driver watching the lane ahead, the concrete barrier, the car ahead, the trailer swinging over the line into the left lane and grill of the tailgater in the rear view mirror needs road signs that can be easily read in a glance.

Hopefully CalTrans will post some speed limit signs on the left side of the road, raise the height of some of the others on the right side and trim back the shrubs that cover the signs,

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 07:06:45 +0000

Very interesting article! I knew two people who were killed on 17 and I, myself, was in an accident on “Dead Man’s Curve” when I was a youngster back in 1964. My dad was taking my brother, sister, me, and our black lab, Butch, to the beach for the day. Fortunately, no one was seriously hurt in the accident, but we were all shaken up pretty badly.

By: Crissa

Crissa — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 19:06:22 +0000

In reply to Elizabeth Ingram.

There are signs at every corner what the corner speed is and signs at every major onramp what the speed limit is. And there’s flashing signs with the major corner speed as well. What do you mean, it isn’t clear what the speed limit is?

If you are’t aware, you shouldn’t be driving. Sit in the right lane, give three or four seconds, and drive 35. That;s the safe, no brakes needed speed. It’s listed on the speed limit sign for trucks.

By: Elizabeth Ingram

Elizabeth Ingram — Mon, 08 Aug 2016 16:39:51 +0000

Nice article, but you need an areal map showing exactly where the curves are. BIG MOODY is a bear. It’s just not clear along the highway what the speed limit is and at the summit, the signs are often covered by foliage or big rigs. More signs warning drivers about the upcoming fish-hook (ramp leading to Hwy 1 from Hwy 17 to Watsonville and Monterey). Another very dangerous spot is the “dark area where the world falls away” between State Park and Freedom Blvd overpasses – both north and south bound lanes are a death trap with people flying fast into stopped traffic. Let’s hope the powers at be are listening…

By: Pete

Pete — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 19:11:15 +0000

I wonder how many of the drivers who caused these accidents are not locals, unfamiliar with the road, and how many are locals or familiar with the road. The road has some really tight turns that can surprise and overwhelm drivers not familiar with the road.
The fact that we are talking about this road is all is a testament to the design “errors” built into this road and the lack of driving skills in most drivers on the road (driving too fast, and too close to each other). Im very happy to say that the improvements I have seen in the last 10-15 years has really improved safety, but it is still a road that demands far more than your average road.

By: Ranger Gaudinski

Ranger Gaudinski — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 02:33:28 +0000

In reply to colleen anibas. What a great sign. I hope you did fun things with your mom on those Sundays.

By: colleen anibas

colleen anibas — Wed, 10 Feb 2016 00:28:15 +0000

my mother was one of the owners of the cats restaurant when it was opened in 1967. there was a sign in the restaurant for years that said “closed sundays for love of god and fear of the freeway.”

By: Tom Scully

Tom Scully — Thu, 17 Dec 2015 17:34:20 +0000

I drove highway 17 to work as a SJ firefighter from 1973 to 2000. I can say without reservation that the road is much safer now with the CalTrans improvements. I used to stop at a dozen accidents a year and in the latter part of my career none. Kudos to CalTrans and their often contractor Granite Construction.

By: Ranger Gaudinski

Ranger Gaudinski — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 21:53:23 +0000

In reply to Chip. Thanks Chip. Thanks too for years of helping folks on Highway 17 at no small risk to yourself!

By: Chip

Chip — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:46:22 +0000

The most dangerous section of freeway in Cali…I owned a tow truck Co. In the 70’s in Santa Cruz and covered hiway 17 to cloud nine….scary memories helping motorists up there…nice artical…

By: Ranger Lautamo

Ranger Lautamo — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 17:53:00 +0000

In reply to Russ.

Thanks, Russ! I agree, people definitely need to slow down. It’s hard to say what is the best solution – maybe a combination of public education and warning signs although some think the signs are distracting and cause more accidents. It’s not an easy task for Caltrans, that’s for sure!

By: Russ

Russ — Fri, 19 Dec 2014 03:57:09 +0000

Great article! Very informative. People do need to slow down on 17. Maybe more flashing lights and warning signs?