There are some intersections that simply seem designed for accidents.  Blossom Hill Road at University Avenue in Los Gatos is one of those cases.  I don't know the statistics, so perhaps accidents don't really occur there too frequently, but I've seen so many "near misses" that I am deeming it a worthy topic for this blog (though I was tempted to email Mr Roadshow, Gary Richards, of the San Jose Mercury News to see if he'd had complaints about it.).

The problem is that the intersection doesn't consist of four ninety degree angles and it makes some drivers think that they have the right of way when they don't. because they seem to think they're "going straight" when in fact they are turning.  

Drivers heading south on University who want to turn left onto Blossom Hill Road think that they have the right of way. They don't.  They are supposed to yield to drivers proceeding straight on University and also to those going in the opposite direction who are turning right onto Blossom Hill Road. ("Right of way" - turning right...)

Why the confusion? I think it's because at that intersection, it's a very gentle left turn. It almost feels like you're going straight. 


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What can be done?  I think signage could be better, reminding southbound drivers that they do NOT have the right of way vs drivers proceeding through from University to University across Blossom Hill and also that they don't have the right of way against those turning right onto Blossom Hill Road.

If nothing else, I hope that this post will alert Los Gatos residents and visitors to approach this intersection with caution.  But perhaps we can have a dialogue about making this stretch of our roadways more safe.  Any suggestions?