MR. ROADSHOW HITS THE ROAD … TO SUNNYVALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

SUNNYVALE, Calif. – Gary Richards, better known as Mr. Roadshow to San Jose Mercury News readers, will share his insights gleaned from 15 years of traffic and commuting questions and answers at Sunnyvale Public Library. During those 15 years, Richards has answered thousands of questions about busy commute routes, driver behavior, traffic bottlenecks, road hazards, and the assorted aggravations, dangers and delights of everyday travel in Santa Clara County. His column has also provided a safe venue for venting and ranting about all things traffic, from gas prices to SUVs to fast-lane road hogs to diamond lanes.

When asked about the funniest reader comment he has seen, Richards brought up the following exchange with reader Steve Yvaska: “Q: Have you heard about the new drug that increases life expectancy of commuters by controlling road rage and the urge to flip off  other drivers?  It's called Flipitor.  A: Make Roadshow laugh out loud and you make it in the paper.”

From the darker side, Richards recounts a much more serious letter from reader Carole Lin. “Q: … I saw the most unbelievably dangerous driving situation. A silver Lexus SUV pulled alongside me.

In the back seat was a 3 or 4 year old girl, clearly unrestrained, as she was climbing all over her 6 or 7 year old brother, who was also unrestrained, because he was nearly standing up to pull his face up to the back of the front passenger seat.  But the kicker was the 11 or 12 year old boy sitting in the front seat – he was holding a 1 year old infant in his lap! The mother, who was driving, was clearly unphased, for she pulled out her cell phone at the next intersection to start yakking on her cell phone. I feel as though this woman should have her license taken away.”

Richards, an experienced reporter and newspaper man, was an editor on the team that helped the Mercury News win a Pulitzer Prize for its coverage of the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the opening of Highway 85 in 1994 and again in 2005 for community reporting.

Mr. Roadshow’s presentation at the Library will begin at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 5. Everyone is welcome to this free event.

The Library is located at 665 W. Olive Ave., across from City Hall. Free parking is always available, and VTA line 54 serves the Library. For more information about Library services and activities, visit www.sunnyvalelibrary.org or call the Reference Desk at (408) 730-7300, TDD (408) 730-7501.