(The following letter was sent to Mayor Tom Hasse.) I am a Malibu resident who drives to work each morning along the Pacific Coast Highway heading towards downtown Los Angeles. For several months during the year it is very dark as I make my way to work.
I’d like to point out a problem that I am sure will one day cause a major accident if it has not already, that is the trash trucks that collect trash on the PCH. All these homes located on the beach have trash pickup early in the morning. These trash trucks are blocking the slow lane of the Coast Highway. As you drive around the curves, many times they are stopped in your lane and you cannot see them until the last minute.
On many occasions I have had near accidents. I have also seen other motorists slamming on their brakes.
I would offer solutions to this problem:
1. Have the trash pick-up on weekends when the traffic is not so heavy.
2. Require the trash company to have an escort vehicle with flashing lights in back of the truck that is picking up the trash. It would be like a police car so that people coming around the curves can see the lights and avoid smashing into a trash truck.
3. Have the trash picked up during daylight hours when people can see the standing vehicles.
I would invite a response back from you on this situation. I have discussed this with many of my neighbors and we all feel the same way. The problem needs to be resolved as soon as possible.
Sandy Shadrow