Since 1996, traffic accidents on Highway 17 between San Jose and Santa Cruz have dropped 50%, according to the California Highway Patrol. Authorities credit increased enforcement with the drop in collisions. "If I go over the hill to go to the beach with my family or something like that, I do notice that you will see them on the side of the road patrolling," offered a driver from Los Gatos.

There have also been numerous safety improvements on the windy mountain road. However, Brandi, a recent UC Santa Cruz graduate, believes her commute is still too dangerous. "Especially when the winter hits, it's really narrow, there are really bad runoff with the rain. The rain just kind of shoots down the road, people slide all over the place. Every time I'm 17 I see at least, if not a fender bender, a rolled car on the side of the road."

According to the CHP, speeding, tailgating and "whimsical lane changes" are the leading causes of crashes on Highway 17.

KCBS' Matt Bigler reports