BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A Ridgecrest man is trying to raise awareness about the dangers of Highway 395, which runs through the eastern portion of Kern County.
The highway is used to get in and out of Ridgecrest and many travelers use it to go up and down the state. Two people lost their lives just last week, and they aren't the first; crosses and memorials line the highway on the way to Ridgecrest.
One of those losses inspired Skip Gorman to try to do something about it. He says a recently widowed woman came to his shop and shared about her husband's death on 395. After hearing the story, Gorman says he created stickers and buttons to try to spread awareness. Gorman wants to see a widening of the road, passing lanes and medians. He's even gone as far as writing to his congressman and others about the issue, but for now, he's hoping that his stickers and buttons will get the word out.
The California Highway Patrol Mojave office patrols about 33 miles of the highway near Ridgecrest. Officers there say they know of the negative stigma surrounding the highway and are banking on education and proactive enforcement to prevent more loss of life. They say that the effort has been working, with declining numbers of fatal accidents in 2016 and 2017, but multiple fatal crashes in 2018 serve as reminders that there's still much work to be done.
Gorman sells large stickers for $5 and gives away small stickers and buttons for free. You can find him at his mechanic shop, J.P. Gorman Metal Fabrication and Welding, over on Graaf Ave. He can also be reached by email at skippergorman@gmail.com.
