Shortcuts: Scripps Poway Parkway

WHO: Carlos Bey, 64, Coronado

Car: 1996 Chevy Cavalier, 125,000 miles

Previous cars: Dodge Ram, VW Vanagon, VW bus

Drive where? From Coronado to Julian and back, once a week.

Cheapest gas? Valero or Daniel’s Market in Ramona. Usually 20 to 40 cents less.

What’s wrong with your car? The transmission — it jerks into drive and reverse.

Listen to when driving? Books on tape from Audible. Sometimes at the end of the day I’ll try radio — sometimes KPBS, sometimes TJ stations.

Cell phone? Nah, I’m a chicken; I’ll pull over for an urgent call.

Hitchhikers? I picked up a guy in a baseball cap in a deserted part of Lyons Valley Road a few years ago. He was a pollo trying to get to Los Angeles but never got picked up for his ride to L.A. and was tired and thirsty. I drove him back to the border entrance at San Ysidro.

Speeding tickets? About four years ago I was on the 67 coming down into Ramona near Mt. Woodson. I was going 70 in a 55 zone and got a ticket.

Accidents? Thirty years ago, when in the Navy, I rear-ended a car on the Coronado bridge. I took the insurance money for my car and instead of fixing the hood went to Japan.

Worst traffic? The 125 going south always seems to get backed up by the Spring Street exit into La Mesa.

Most changed streets? I can’t get over the traffic circles on La Jolla Boulevard in Bird Rock.

Favorite drive? Japatul Valley Road and Lyons Valley Road; they take you from I-8 near Descanso down to Jamul. Lots of scenery, few cars.

Least favorite? I-15 — ugly and heavy traffic

Shortcut? Used to take Poway Road to get from 15 over to 67, but Scripps Poway Parkway much less crowded, much faster.