Car Crashes Near Tam highlight a Bigger Problem
“On Miller, a car that seemed to be speeding hit the median,” Tam senior Cooper Kift, who witnessed the accident on Feb 19, said. “[The car] went over the median into the oncoming lane and had a head on collision with a silver Rav Four.”
Kift along with the rest of the Tam varsity baseball team witnessed this violent car accident immediately following their victory over St. Mary’s High School of Albany in a scrimmage game. Both drivers involved in the crash were taken to the hospital after sustaining serious injuries the Marin Independent Journal wrote.
This crash followed closely after another horrific accident on Feb 10. The earlier incident was a fatal three-car crash less than a football field away from the site of the second accident. According to Mill Valley Police Department (MVPD) officials, the first accident was the only fatal car crash in Mill Valley this year, as of Feb 11.
The short distance between the two accidents highlights a dangerous area of Mill Valley’s central street, Miller Avenue. MVPD took notice of the recurring accidents and placed an electronic sign reminding drivers of the 35 MPH speed limit on the westbound side of Miller Avenue. The sign also reminded drivers that the speed limit drops to 25 MPH when children are present. This reminder is especially appropriate because both accidents occurred in the school zone between Mill Valley Middle School and Tamalpais High School.
Teen drivers are often pointed to as problematic within the Mill Valley community on popular neighborhood platforms such as Nextdoor. One Mill Valley resident, Linda W., writes about a separate incident, “Some teen drivers should have their licenses suspended.” In response to her comment, Juanita Rubio wrote, “Honestly their license should just be revoked indefinitely.”
Based on this reputation and the location of the accidents, teen drivers were suspected by many to be involved. However, District Superintendent Tara Taupier, stated that she has not been informed that either accident involved any Tamalpais Union High School District (TUHSD) students.
While these accidents reportedly did not involve any TUHSD students, it has drawn attention to a larger issue among Tam drivers. Tam’s student parking situation encourages risky maneuvers and leads to many low-speed crashes. Junior Lucas DiPippa recalls accidents he witnessed just outside Tam’s back parking lot (BPL) on two separate occasions. “I’ve seen someone pull out into a car,” DiPippa said. According to DiPippa, after the collision “they just both drove out separate ways.” This highlights a large cultural problem at Tam, where insurance information is rarely exchanged, and notes containing phone numbers are almost never left behind after car accidents in and around the BPL.
Junior Timo Ural says that he has seen people hit parked cars multiple times. “[The lack of notes] kind of ruins the trust of parking at Tam.” Ural said. Junior Jade Curtin-Savala remembers a specific instance where a Tam driver failed to leave a note after hitting a parked car outside the BPL. “I saw somebody trying to back up, and they ran straight into another car. I saw their face and they looked surprised, but there was no one in [the other car], so they just drove off without doing anything,” Curtin-Savala said.
In the Tam community, cautious driving and accountability are rare, but these car accidents can hopefully provide a reminder to the Tam community that safe driving is not just something parents preach; it can save you from serious injury and even death.
