Lane Arrows Can Be a Bum Steer Without Sign to Explain Them

Dear Street Smart:

I would like to remark about lane marking, or “vector control,” as I believe it is referred to technically.

Specifically, there are a number of intersections in Orange County where large arrows pointing left are painted in the curb lane, making it appear that the lane disappears. The driver is then in the position of having to work his way left, often with great difficulty during peak times. He then discovers several yards down the road that, in fact, the lane does not disappear but rather becomes a right-turn-only lane, which is what the driver wanted in the first place. The driver must then work his way back into the right lane, where he was to begin with.

Why not put instructions on a sign before the arrows? They could read “Thru traffic merge left” or “Right lane must turn right.” After that, the arrow lovers can do whatever they want.

Chauncey L. Benedict, Santa Ana

Yes, those sorts of numb-headed street markings can be aggravating. They always seem to pop up when you least suspect, like when you’re motoring along an unfamiliar stretch of road. Just when you’ve moved to the left, some know-it-all zips up next to you, blocking entrance into the right-turn lane you wanted all along.

Fact is, it’s considered standard operating procedure for traffic departments to install signs to help advise motorists of the pitfalls of such stretches. Unfortunately, traffic departments at some municipalities in Orange County are not as attentive as others in ensuring that the signs go up and stay up.

Steven M. Hogan, transportation division manager for the county, said the painted white arrows that can be so confusing are intended to merely supplement the signs, which are the “first and foremost” aid to a motorist.

Hogan said the county tries to make sure that there are two signs posted in situations where traffic needs to merge left to avoid a turn lane. The first says “Thru traffic merge left,” and a second one nearer the intersection advises that the curbside lane is for a “Right turn only.” In addition, arrows that point right are painted on the pavement approaching and into the turn lane, signifying that the lane is for those wishing to make a right turn.

One final matter: All those signs and arrows and other lane markings that direct motorists around a street are not known as “vector control,” at least not around these parts. In the United States, vector control refers to the eradication of mosquitoes and other pests. Said Hogan: “Either it’s a British term or he’s got his departments mixed up.”

Dear Street Smart:

In your July 23 column, you passed on a neat suggestion--given to you by the city of Irvine--to the person frustrated by not having a right-turn lane from northbound Jamboree Road to turn west (a right turn) onto Campus Drive. It was suggested that one creep into the bike lane after the solid white line became a dashed line.

That would be truly clever at that spot, since there is no marked bike lane on Jamboree Road. In general, it is neat because the bike lanes in many cases skinny down or vanish at an intersection. It might make sense if we had cars perhaps 2 feet wide. I wonder if your data source drives in the city of Irvine.

Frank A. Anderson

Irvine

I don’t know about my source at Irvine City Hall, but it sure is obvious I don’t drive regularly in Irvine. If I did, such a suggestion never would have been passed on. Fact is, I rely on “transportation experts” for the occasional words of wisdom in this column. So this one is egg on my face--and a triple-egg omelet right in the smacker for my Irvine city source.