Last night or very early this morning, a reckless driver failed to maintain control of their vehicle and took out the Armco Crash Barrier on Somis Road’s Dead Man’s Curve. The barrier was replaced on January 30th, 2025. The new barrier served Somis Road drivers for 15 months and 17 days. That’s a new record!
Since keeping track of the often-crumbled guardrail, the old record was 196 days.
Once Caltrans gets around to replacing the barrier, the countdown will start again.
THREE REASONS FOR HITTING THE RAILING
Somis Road’s Dead Man’s Curve is not a dangerous curve. The speed limit is 45 miles per hour, and while the bend may be a slight decreasing-radius curve, it is simple to negotiate.
There are three reasons (maybe four) that this may be the most expensive guardrail in Ventura County. The first is entering the curve at excessive speed. The second is distracted driving. The third is driving while impaired. Giving a driver the benefit of the doubt, it could be a mechanical failure like a flat tire or snapped steering column—but I’d wager the first three scenarios are far more likely culprits.
I used to ride my bicycle on Somis Road but stopped a few years ago because of the dangers that speeding, distracted or impaired drivers pose to cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and other drivers. While the turn itself is not dangerous, many drivers on this road are.
Jimmy Mac On Two Wheels urges cyclists and pedestrians to use great caution when approaching the outside of this turn—and that goes for shoppers at Paty’s Farm stand. I can ask drivers to slow down, pay attention and avoid driving while buzzed, but I believe it will take law enforcement presence on the road to accomplish any of these solutions.
Grinch Attacks Somis Road’s Dead Man’s Curve
