Court Opinion

ID: 9552027
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 19:03:43.640434+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:25:27.099433
License: Public Domain

CONNOR, Justice
(dissenting).
In my opinion genuine issues of material fact concerning petitioner’s negligence were raised by her affidavit. I read 13 AAC 02.275 as stating a standard of general prudence. Under our holding in Breitkreutz v. Baker, 514 P.2d 17 (Alaska *1771973), I would submit to the trier of fact the question of whether petitioner negligently failed to control her speed to that which was reasonable and prudent under the criteria stated in 13 AAC 02.275.
Because petitioner was traveling Chena Hot Springs Road for the first time, the majority opinion places upon her a burden of anticipating the various hazards and unexpected conditions, and accordingly approaching the crest of the hill at a very reduced speed. I interpret the facts differently. I glean from petitioner’s affidavit that she was driving in what appeared to her to be a normal manner under winter conditions, and that the combination of circumstances which she encountered was so unexpected that she could not avoid the collision. I think that on facts such as these the inquiry properly should go to whether she exercised due care in the light of all the circumstances. I would deny the motion for summary judgment.