L.A.’s Incredible Number of Color-Blind Drivers

After 23 months residency in Los Angeles, I would like to offer the following observations:

1--An incredible number of L.A. motorists are either color blind or illiterate. They cannot distinguish the difference in the colors red, yellow and green. They cannot read the signs “No Parking Between Hours of 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.,” and “No Parking Between Hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.” and “Right Turn Only.” Which raises the question: Where are the parking enforcement cars and drivers hiding during those hours?

2--An appalling number of drivers are hurrying to Forest Lawn, racing to be first at the red traffic signal. These drivers also join with others in not understanding that crosswalks were designed for pedestrians.

3--The city’s street maintenance department apparently is a silent partner of the tire dealers, since the condition of the streets is such that unless you have steel-belted radial tires, you will spend a bundle in replacing tires. Sections of Wilshire Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard, which were resurfaced only last year, already are showing honest-to-goodness potholes.

4--There apparently is a double standard on emission controls: one for the general public, none for the heavy trucks and buses.

5--Final question: How do the color-blind drivers and non-reading drivers get their licenses?

GENE F. WILHELM

Los Angeles