Unless you commute across the Coronado Bridge regularly, you may not realize how many traffic issues there are due to accidents. Even though I work primarily from home, I get out enough to have seen a number of accidents on the bridge myself.

The other day, we were driving back into Coronado from downtown and could see from the surface street below the bridge on-ramp that there was something going on.

“How long do you think it will take us to get across the bridge?” Bob asked.

“I’m not sure. I can’t tell which side the problem is on.”

Both West bound and East bound lanes looked clogged from our vantage point. As we merged onto the bridge it was quickly apparent what had happened. The East bound lanes were stopped because of a multi vehicle accident including a motor cycle down on its side – always a heart stopper.

The West bound lanes were moving slowly because of bottle-necking due to rubber-necking. (A very East Coast term used frequently during the rush hour traffic reports).

A couple of days later, I was leaving the island to go to a client’s office and the traffic going across the bridge was heavy and so the going was slow. All of a sudden a guy on a motor cycle comes up fast, weaving in and out of the two out going lanes, narrowly missing rear-ending a lumbering truck.

Obviously I don’t have a radar gun, but he looked to be traveling at a speed of at least 70mph – in a 50pmh zone, in heavy traffic, in and out of lanes.

And you wonder why there are accidents…and some that include serious injuries and fatalities.

I’m not singling out motor cycles – cars frequently speed across the bridge changing lanes rapidly cutting other vehicles off. When I see them coming up fast in my rear view mirror, I say a little prayer and try to stay out of their way.

I guess I’m glad that I don’t commute every day – the bridge can be a dangerous place.

To all using the Coronado Bridge – slow down and have a safe crossing!