Dear Editor,On a recent return trip home driving from Yosemite to Copperopolis I took the sharp turn that descends down to the O'Byrnes Ferry Bridge on Lake Tulloch to encounter a very dangerous situation. Driving this area requires a series of hairpin turns and of course slow speeds, as low as 15mph when approaching the bridge.
Suddenly as I approach the bridge I notice three persons in their late 20's standing in the middle of the my lane. I quickly applied my brakes to avoid hitting them as they slowly sauntered off the road like it was no big deal. This could have easily been a tragic if not fatal event.
Now I am use to persons pulling off to the right before the bridge to climb the rocky ledges to get to those great swimming spots on Lake Tulloch near the bridge. There is plenty of room for people to walk on the side of the road and yet I have found this to be the third occasions this summer that I have had to slam on my brakes for irresponsible people walking in the middle of the road on this blind curve.
My greatest concern however is simply the threat of an 18 wheeler coming down that hill even at slow speeds and low gears. I believe it is highly unlikely that the driver would be able to stop in enough time to avoid injuring pedestrians walking in middle of the road and down the O'Byrnes Ferry Bridge on Lake Tulloch. As it is these trucks almost always take up both lanes in order to make that sharp sweeping left turn down towards the bridge. If a truck driver were to have to slam on his brakes the chances of the tractor trailer sliding off sideways and skidding into cars and God forbid people is great.
So I urge people to avoid walking on the bridge and road. I understand everyone wants to swim on these hot summer days but lets use our heads and not do things that could obviously endanger our lives and those around. I sure don't want to see anyone hurt from a careless action that could have been easily avoided.
Concerned in Copperopolis
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