530 AM on Your Radio Dial Is a Static Symbol

Dear Street Smart:

In some places along the freeways, I see signs saying to turn to radio 530 AM for traffic information. All I ever get is static. It would be wonderful to tune to a radio station that constantly discloses the location of accidents so that drivers could avoid those areas. Is this station operational?

Diane Yankelevitz, Long Beach

Those signs are actually alerting you to several “stations,” or transmitters that Caltrans operates to broadcast information about road closures, detours and construction updates. Unfortunately, in Orange County another radio station is interfering with the Caltrans signals, according to spokeswoman Deborah Harris.

KJQI, 540 AM from Hesperia, is causing the static you hear, Harris said. Caltrans is studying solutions to the problem, but the agency doesn’t know when the stations will be functional again, she said.

The stations broadcast information in limited areas. In Orange County, transmitters are at the Costa Mesa and Santa Ana freeways interchange and at the Santa Ana and San Diego freeways interchange, also known as the El Toro Y. More stations may be added in the future, Harris said.

For information about accidents, you will have to tune to a regular radio station. Metro Traffic provides traffic information for about 42 stations, and the company said that KNX 1070 AM, KLAC 570 AM, KMPC 710 AM and KGIL 1260 AM all have regular updates. There are, no doubt, many other stations offering the same regular updates, so try skipping through the dial.

Dear Street Smart:

My concern is related to the crosswalks on Main Street, south of 1st Street, in Santa Ana. If I were in charge, I would immediately remove all of the unprotected crosswalks, which provide a very false sense of security. The driver sees thin lines, while the pedestrian sees a wide zone of “protection.” I literally shudder when I drive this section of the roadway. I am concerned that some child will step off the curb and will be hurt seriously.

Joseph L. Kuhn, Santa Ana

The Santa Ana traffic engineer, T.C. Sutaria, agrees with you that signals at those crosswalks would make things safer for pedestrians. On the other hand, having unprotected crosswalks are better than having none at all, he said. The crosswalks serve to channel the heavy foot traffic in that area, as opposed to having pedestrians cross at any point along the street, Sutaria said.

Yours is the first complaint about the safety of those crosswalks that Sutaria has heard, making him think that things are probably safe enough there. However, if enough people complained, the city might consider installing signals or removing the crosswalks, he said.

A question two weeks ago about using turn signals must have touched a nerve among readers. Some comments received:

Dear Street Smart:

The law says you’re supposed to use turn signals, but more important, it’s just the right thing to do. I look at using turn signals as saying: “I have the intention of changing lanes, and I am asking permission to do so.” It’s the old courtesy thing that we are so sorely lacking.

The other real serious thing is the practice of driving with parking lights on. It is illegal in California. Period! Please, no more transplants with their ridiculous and hazardous combinations of parking lights and fog light, or one right headlight and one left fog light, or . . .

Steven A. Georgi, Irvine

Dear Street Smart:

The reader who wrote that turn signals should be used to help “other drivers slow down enough” is under a misconception about lane changes. People wanting to change lanes should keep in mind that there is no obligation for others to let them in, especially if it jeopardizes any of the traffic following. Lane changes ought to be made well in advance by finding a spot to merge. About the only time one should attempt the maneuver as described is in the event one gets into an awful traffic jam.

Chauncey L. Benedict, Newport Beach

Dear Street Smart:

If turn signals are to let other drivers know which way you intend to go, then why do 90% of drivers keep their signals flashing while waiting to turn left in a left-turn-only lane? All that does is blind the driver in back. Everyone knows by then which way you have to go. Same goes for drivers in right-turn-only lanes. I signal my intentions way before I make a move, then cancel it when I’m in the left-turn lane.

John Schrom, Laguna Hills

Technically, the law requires cars to signal, even if they are in a turn lane, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Ken Daily. Cars must signal turns within 100 feet of an intersection. However, Daily said he doubts that anyone would be ticketed for failing to signal in a turn pocket.

It might help to pull up closer to the car in front of you. Generally, the turn signal will then be below your field of view, Daily said.

Dear Street Smart:

I often got upset at drivers who did not signal until a couple of months ago, when my signals stopped working. I tried replacing the bulbs, fuses and the flasher, but they still don’t work. I won’t have the money to take it in to an electrician until I get my student loan money in February. Meanwhile, I try to use hand signals and watch closely for the other driver’s intentions. I hope I don’t get a ticket, and I hope that other drivers don’t get too upset.

Link W. Schrader, Fullerton

Look out--even though hand signals are acceptable, the CHP could issue you a fix-it ticket for not having the existing signals properly maintained. Good luck with the repairs.