It only took 11 weeks but somebody has again plowed into the Somis Road guardrail. It wasn’t easy to spot because the guardrail was previously demolished on May 18, 2026. The latest driver rearranged the twisted Armco barrier and splintered more of the wooden posts that held the railing in place.
Cal Trans had not yet found the time or budget to replace the railing since it was last pretzeled so you might ask, does this really count? Absolutely. A vehicle left the paved roadway and slammed into the twisted metal barrier. Just ask the responding officer and the driver’s insurance company. They will both agree with Jimmy Mac On Two Wheels that this hit counts. So we turn the clock back to zero and let the countdown start again. Have to admit that the next impact, if it happens before repairs are made, may be difficult to record. There is not much left to hit.
Somis Road’s Dead Man’s Curve is not a dangerous curve. The speed limit is 40 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 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.
